2026 Quan Hongchan cyberbullying incident
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Beginning in late March 2026, a series of incidents described as organized online harassment targeted Chinese Olympic diver Quan Hongchan. The controversy emerged after Quan gave an interview to the Chinese magazine People (人物), where she became emotional and appealed for the public to stop verbally abusing her family and friends.
Following the interview, screenshots circulated online of a private WeChat group titled "Splash Conquerors Alliance" (水花征服者联盟). The screenshots allegedly showed sustained personal attacks and derogatory remarks directed at Quan. The incident attracted widespread attention, particularly due to claims that some participants in the group were connected to China's sports community. The incident prompted public debate about online harassment, workplace bullying and the influence of fan culture in Chinese sports.
Quan Hongchan rose to prominence at the age of 14 after winning a gold medal in diving at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. She later won two additional gold medals at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, becoming one of the youngest athletes to win three Olympic gold medals.[1]
Observers have noted that during the 2020s, elements of "fan circle culture", a phenomenon associated with highly organized and sometimes extreme fan behavior, have increasingly influenced Chinese sports. This has included online harassment, rumor spreading and intrusive attention toward athletes, particularly in high-profile sports such as diving and table tennis.[2]
Incident
In March 2026, Quan was interviewed by the Chinese magazine People (人物), where she spoke publicly about the physical and psychological challenges she experienced following the 2024 Olympics. She described undergoing normal physical changes, including weight fluctuations, which led to increased anxiety about her body and performance. She stated that she had become fearful of weighing herself and had at one point considered retiring from the sport. At the same time, Quan spoke about increased scrutiny from the public and media, including negative comments about her appearance and athletic condition. She also noted that her family home in Zhanjiang, Guangdong had been repeatedly visited by fans, influencers and livestreaming groups, disrupting her family's daily life. In her interview, she appealed for an end to harassment directed at her and her relatives.[3][2][4][5][6][7]
In late March 2026, shortly after the release of Quan's interview, screenshots of a private WeChat group titled "Splash Conquerors Alliance" began circulating online. The group, reportedly had around 282 members, also reportedly had a rule that "personal attacks are prohibited (except for Quan Hongchan)" and instances of members encouraging each other to "scold her [Quan] to death."[2][3] The screenshots indicated that members of the group engaged in coordinated harassment targeting Quan. Messages allegedly included derogatory nicknames, personal insults and unverified claims about her private life.[8][9]
Some content suggested that members were encouraged to direct sustained verbal abuse toward her. Individuals who defended Quan were also reportedly mocked within the group.[10] The incident gained further attention due to speculation that some group participants were linked to individuals within the Chinese sports system as netizens who compared the real-name information of WeChat, several accounts in the group were believed to be related to Quan Hongchan's national team teammates Chen Yuxi, Chang Yani, Chen Yiwen and Long Daoyi. In addition, CCTV sports reporter Yang Shuo and international referee Rao Lang were also said to be members of the group.[8][9] Chinese table tennis player Wang Chuqin was also reported to have been among those attacked along with Quan in the group.[11]