Chinese Diving Authorities File Police Report Following Cyberbullying of Quan Hongchan
Chinese sports officials have taken decisive legal action to protect Olympic diving star Quan Hongchan and her teammates after a surge of online harassment and malicious attacks.
On April 8, 2026, the Swimming Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China issued a formal statement addressing the wave of cyberbullying and the spread of false information targeting Quan and other divers. The center confirmed that it has launched a joint investigation with the Guangdong Provincial Sports Bureau to address the situation.
Escalating the response, the Ersha Sports Training Center of the Guangdong Provincial Sports Bureau has officially filed a report with police. The move signals a zero-tolerance approach to the harassment, with authorities pledging to utilize all available legal means to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the athletes.
A central focus of the crackdown is the eradication of “toxic fan culture.” In a statement released on April 8, 2026, the Ersha Sports Training Center explicitly rejected the influence of “fan circle” culture, which officials say has begun to erode the sporting environment. The Swimming Management Center echoed this sentiment, vowing that anyone found responsible for the attacks will be dealt with severely.
The General Administration of Sport emphasized that such behavior not only harms the mental and physical health of the athletes but also damages the professional image of the national team. The center stated it will now prioritize the enhancement of athlete protection systems and mental health support to ensure a healthy public discourse surrounding Chinese sports.
This aggressive stance comes as officials seek to maintain a positive atmosphere for the national team, ensuring that the focus remains on athletic performance and the healthy development of China’s sporting achievements.
