China’s sports authorities are investigating serious allegations of bullying and abuse leveled against a training facility director by a national dragon boat paddler. The athlete claims she was subjected to “retaliation” after refusing to hand over a significant portion of her prize money from the 2023 Asian Games.
Athlete’s Allegations
Wang Li, a 23-year-old dragon boat paddler who secured three gold medals at the 2023 Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China, detailed her accusations in a video posted online. Upon her return to the Songmao Sports Training Base in Yunnan province, she claims the facility’s director, Fan Jiwen, demanded 150,000 yuan (approximately US$21,000) from her prize winnings.
When Wang refused to comply, she alleges that Fan retaliated by prohibiting her from training, submitting her retirement papers without her consent, and publicly belittling her. Wang stated that Fan frequently reminded athletes of their dependence on him, asserting that he controlled their jobs, salaries, and retirement plans, and could “give you everything and can also take everything away.”
Impact on Athlete’s Career and Well-being
The alleged mistreatment had a severe impact on Wang’s career and mental health. She claims Fan lied to his superiors, falsely stating she was injured and unable to train, which effectively ended her chances of competing further. Wang revealed that this prolonged “suppression” led her to develop severe depression, causing her to question if her hard work had been worth the hardship.
Official Investigation
The Yunnan Provincial Sports Bureau acknowledged Wang’s allegations on Monday, December 15th. They announced the establishment of a dedicated team to conduct a “comprehensive investigation” into the matter. The bureau stated that they would handle the situation in accordance with regulations, discipline, and the law based on the investigation’s findings.