China’s Gymnastics and Table Tennis Associations have condemned insulting and defamatory remarks made by toxic fans against members of the country’s Paris Olympic team, as police launch a campaign to crack down on “illegal” comments on social media.
The China Gymnastics Association said on Saturday that some fans had “created and spread false rumors” among the team’s supporters, “inciting negative sentiment online, and insulting and slandering athletes, coaches and officials.”
The association said the actions had caused “severe harm” to the jobs, livelihoods and families of those targeted and “destroyed and tarnished the tradition of unity and patriotism of the Chinese gymnastics team.”
It has not been revealed who the post was directed to or what the details of its content were.
The Chinese Table Tennis Association released a similar statement, saying some of the comments had an “extremely negative impact” on players, coaches and society.
“The chaos in the ‘fan circle’ has seriously disrupted the Chinese table tennis team’s normal training and competitions,” the report said, again without specifying what it was referring to.
“The Association will collect evidence and hold to account any organisations or individuals who insult, slander or maliciously attack the Chinese table tennis team or its members online or in public.”
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China won 40 gold medals in Paris, tying with the United States, while beating Japan with 20 and Australia with 18.
The Ministry of Public Security said some “illegal” fan behaviour was also observed at the tournament, which ended a week ago.
The ministry said there had been two cases during the Olympics where fans “posted negative information about table tennis players or coaches on social media.”
The agency said the actions had a “harmful impact on society” and that it was carrying out criminal proceedings against those involved.
Three others were given “administrative sanctions” for social media posts questioning China’s Olympic gold medallists and “openly insulting gymnasts”.
The ministry did not say what laws had been broken, but a 2021 amendment to the Criminal Code stipulates that it is a crime to tarnish the reputation or honour of heroes or martyrs.
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Not only did Pan set a record in Paris, but he also garnered huge support online for playing a key role in ending the United States’ 64-year monopoly in the men’s 4x100m medley relay.
But Pan said he wanted to “keep a low profile and lead a peaceful and quiet life,” state broadcaster CCTV reported.
The move coincides with Beijing’s recent campaign to “clean up” online content and curb online fan communities, particularly those relating to celebrities.
In 2021, China’s internet watchdog, the Cyberspace Administration of China, detailed 10 areas in fan communities that need to be corrected.
The CAC instructed local authorities to halt all forms of celebrity rankings and step up oversight of celebrity marketing agencies.
