The Chinese national short track skating team, facing a wave of online abuse, has united to call for an end to cyberbullying targeting its athletes. This initiative, highlighted by each team member’s post on social media, underscores the solidarity within the squad and their commitment to healthy competition.
The issue came to the forefront following an incident at the ISU short track World Cup in Beijing, where skater Liu Shaoang collided with teammate Lin Xiaojun during the men’s 500 meters race. Despite Liu being an established athlete and winner of the men’s 1,000 meters, he became a target of online abuse after the collision, which resulted in Lin receiving a penalty and Liu finishing in fourth place.
In response, Lin Xiaojun, one of China’s most popular short track skaters, took to Weibo to address the issue. He emphasized the team’s camaraderie, stating, “We live together, we train together, we compete together. The healthy competition between teammates is the reason for our rapid improvement.” He urged fans to reject online violence and foster a positive sports environment.
Liu Shaoang echoed these sentiments, expressing concern about the distraction caused by online abuse and emphasizing the team’s need to focus on competition and training. The team, currently preparing for another ISU event in Seoul, South Korea, has felt the impact of these negative online interactions.
The Beijing World Cup event was particularly important for the Chinese team, as the men’s 500 meters was considered a strong suit with Lin, Liu, and Liu’s elder brother Liu Shaolin among the favorites. Despite Lin’s condemnation of the abuse, some fans continued to vent their frustrations online.
This issue has also affected the team’s head coach, Zhang Jing, who faced online criticism. Veteran skater Fan Kexin, a three-time Olympian and Beijing 2022 gold medalist, highlighted the deep unity within the team, which she feels is often misunderstood by outsiders.
Sports commentator Mao Jiale from Chengdu noted the rarity of such a collective response from the team, signaling the seriousness of the issue. He observed that fandom culture, increasingly prevalent in sports, needs urgent attention to prevent further escalation.
Despite the challenges, the national team has demonstrated resilience, securing five gold, five silver, and six bronze medals at three ISU World Cup events, ranking fourth globally. Their success on the ice offers a powerful counterpoint to the online negativity, reaffirming the importance of focusing on sportsmanship and collective achievement.
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