A video of the 2024 Paris Olympics Chinese gold medalist Wang Chu Qin has gone viral after his experience with a photographer sparks a debate about racism at the event.
The topic of racism towards Chinese athletes has gained attention, with gold medalist Pan Zhanle sharing the treatment he received from other athletes.
Pan Zhanle mentioned the unreasonable behavior of Alex from the United States and Chalmers from the Australian team in the post-match interview. Pan Zhanle simply ignored Chalmers’ greeting, and Alex deliberately splashed water on the coaches in China during training.#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/TwQOy7uTTB
— roses_are_whisper (@whisper_1123) July 31, 2024
In a viral video, Wang Chu Qin was speaking to a reporter when a camerawoman walked into him and just walked off.
From another angle, it’s clear how hard the photographer bumped into Wang and how even after looking at him, she just walked off.
When the video was tweeted, it instantly went viral with over 23,000 likes and a lot of comments.
She didn’t even apologize and left right away after hitting him. pic.twitter.com/i62J2N3WNy
— Alex From Xinjiang (@xinjiangalex) August 1, 2024
Numerous examples of this behavior towards Chinese athletes during this competition unfortunately
— Pierre-Élie Pichot (@PE_Ptalk) August 1, 2024
I can not stand rude people.
White women do this ALL THE TIME. You’ll be walking or just standing, and they’ll walk straight into you because they expect you to move and don’t apologize when they make physical contact, and keep going like you’re invisible. https://t.co/INv62nfutH— Carolyn Hinds 🇧🇧 #FreePalestine #CongoInCrisis (@CarrieCnh12) August 1, 2024
The jealousy and hate towards asians
— derwi (@cryptoder100x) August 1, 2024
this and the swimmer that was racially discriminated by his opponents. idk how the fuck this is allowed on a big stage like olympics https://t.co/ddVwOQMDgy
— jay (@tensorfied_) August 1, 2024
chinese athletes have all rights to despise the west, to refuse to speak english, to use chinese social media and to do ANYTHING to somehow please the west, these athletes are going thru too much disrespect https://t.co/CESzC3ko3M
— swanyu 🌅 (@realhanyu) August 1, 2024
The casual and not so casual racism Asian Olympians have been experiencing this year got my blood boiling https://t.co/3gKDjIHzce
— Tay Tawan’s phanrayaa (@RRivo) August 1, 2024
sending love to all poc athletes who have been experiencing disgustingly casual racism in this fuckass olympic daily. they handle it so amazing coz i would’ve spit on them yts on the spot https://t.co/uw1lGZnjLe
— latte, Sp. OMG (@hundredlatte_) August 2, 2024
It isn’t the only issue that the athlete has had during the games with the media.
Wang’s most prized paddle, which is needed for his singles and team events, got destroyed by a photographer. As he threw it in the media’s direction, it was apparently stepped on as the press swarmed in. Excited photographers rushed to capture the winning moment, and unfortunately, Wang’s paddle was damaged as a result.
The paddle used to win the Olympic gold was trampled and broken by reporters rushing into the coaches’ area. 😩#Olympics #Paris2024 #TableTennis #WangChuqin pic.twitter.com/3wfvxxvhiq
— 鳳凰資訊 PhoenixTV News (@PhoenixTV_News) July 31, 2024
China has been on top form during the Olympics, but actions from those around the athletes have raised eyebrows about the treatment of the team.
You can read more about Wang’s time at the event below.
World’s Best Table Tennis Player Faces Setback After Photographer Destroys Prized Paddle