Idol culture fans flames(2)

More Attention

The Paris Olympics have catapulted athletes into the public eye like never before. Sun saw the number of her Weibo followers balloon by more than three million, while Wang gained over two million followers on Douyin within six days of the competition.

Fan, after his men's team victory, posted a reflective message on Weibo — "From Paris to Paris, 11 years of international competition, like the 11 points in a match, from beginning to end" — earning 1.18 million likes.

Yet, Olympic champions are pushing back against the feverish idol culture surrounding them. On Aug 12, swimmer Pan Zhanle, who won gold in the men's 100-meter freestyle and set a new world record, disbanded his sole online fan group, opting to distance himself from the frenzy.

In an interview with China's national broadcaster, CCTV, Pan commented on his sudden fame: "I prefer to stay low-profile and quiet. Honestly, I wouldn't mind if my performance had been less exceptional, if it meant I could return to training in peace."

Pan also addressed the growing fan attention: "When I wasn't doing well, no one came to find me. Now that I'm succeeding, they're seeking me out — it's uncomfortable."

It's not just online, either. In the arena, at the gripping all-China women's singles table tennis final between Chen and Sun in Paris, what should have been a showcase of athletic excellence was marred by unruly spectator behavior.

Chen, in particular, faced jeers whenever she scored, a display that angered many who felt that fan support had taken an unsportsmanlike turn.

Despite the charged atmosphere, the competition ended on a note of grace, as the pair shared a lengthy embrace at the conclusion of their match. Chen later described the encounter as a "match without losers", and thanked the audience for their support of both players.

Sun echoed those sentiments on Weibo: "Congratulations to sister Meng on defending her Olympic singles title. Your hard work and performance are something to aspire to.

"It was an honor to stand alongside you as we defended the honor of Chinese women's table tennis. I also urge everyone to approach wins and losses rationally, and to continue supporting our team," Sun wrote.

Fan, who won gold in both the men's singles and team events at the Olympics, has addressed toxic elements of the fanbase on social media multiple times. He has clarified his stance on interactions with fans, urging them to avoid excessive behavior.

Fan expressed strong opposition to the intrusion of obsessive fandom into sports, and emphasized his commitment to focusing on his game. He called on fans to respect his coaches and teammates and refrain from organized support activities. He also stated that he does not accept gifts, preferring only handwritten letters.

"As for my personal schedule," Fan said, "I do not wish to be met at airports or followed for photos, nor will I sign autographs or take pictures in personal settings. I ask my fans to let me live as an ordinary person."