NOT ALONE
In less than 24 hours, Fu has been discussed thousands of times on Weibo, WeChat and other digital platforms, with her interview snapshots being used as emoticons and in cartoons.
At the same time, another young athlete, Zhang Mengxue, who won China its gold medal, in the women's 10m air pistol event, was also much discussed.
Zhang's extrenemly calm expression during the competition has been commented on by tens of thousands people online.
In fact, some argue that these young Chinese athletes reflect an entirely new generation who grew up with a fast developing internet, endless information technology, and had more opportunity to develop their own characters compared to previous Chinese generations.
ACCELERATED GENERATIONAL SHIFT
"China's post-90s and post-95s generations differ from the post-70s and post-80s generations. They are the direct beneficiaries of China's reform and opening-up policy and had more resources to develop than their parent's generation," said Chen Rui, the executive director of bilibili.com, a popular online TV platform.
Zhao Jun, general manager of a sports copyright operator, said she had noticed the generational shift of sports audiences.
"China's younger generation may one day use their own way to appreciate sports. They will pursue happiness, rather than money and fame," she said.
In this new era, people like Fu Yuanhui are not just heroes and heroines, but also represent the spectators. They reflect the spirit of the new generation of China.
Earlier this year, Fu wrote a post about her 20th birthday.
"I have been living in this world for 20 years, and I have been searching for the meaning of my life and my attitude towards the world. One that only belongs to me and is unique.
"I understand what I've been living for and what kind of life I want. It's simple. Happiness. Love. Gratitude. These are what I want."
It is just possible that she might have been speaking for a whole generation, Fu's Weibo followers found.
