Themk General Administration of Sport of China convened a meeting on Wednesday to address the growing issue of toxic fan culture in sports - known as "fan circle" behavior.

Illustration: Chen Xia/Global Times

Gao Zhidan, the administration's director, has rightly called for the inclusion of this crackdown in the broader ideological work of the sports system. He called for a strong stance against escalating "fan circle" behavior and urged the removal of the conditions that allow such a culture to thrive in sports.

Gao emphasized the need to curb the increasing influence of fan culture, which has disrupted the sports sector and posed significant risks to its healthy development. Additionally, he urged institutions to be highly vigilant against the tendency toward excessive commercialization of sports.

The administration's meeting follows recent statements from the Chinese Table Tennis Association and the Chinese Gymnastics Association on August 17. Both expressed support for law enforcement actions against illegal activities related to toxic fandom, vowing to hold abusers accountable.

The recent surge in online attacks, harassment, and the spread of false information against athletes, notably during the Paris Olympics, highlights the dangerous trend of this phenomenon. On August 15, the Ministry of Public Security disclosed details of four cases involving such behavior in sports.

In July, several social media platforms, including Sina Weibo and Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, announced tough measures to combat toxic fandom, such as removing harmful content and suspending or banning related accounts.

In fact, fandom culture has already seriously disrupted the daily life and work of athletes. Olympic women's 3m springboard champion Chen Yiwen revealed on Instagram on Wednesday that she had been the target of malicious rumors spread by two sports journalists. According to the chat screenshots she released, the other party even threatened to add stimulants to Chen's food to get her banned for life.

During an interview aired on August 18, table tennis star Fan Zhendong expressed concerns about the pressure caused by fan culture, saying it has negatively impacted both his performance and the team's unity.

Pan Zhanle, a 20-year-old swimming athlete who recently set a world record at the Paris Olympics, won applause when he disbanded his fan group. Pan previously mentioned in a CCTV - China's state broadcaster - interview that some fans waited for autographs outside his hotel and he said he just "hoped to stay low-key and quiet."

Most of these so-called fans do not understand or appreciate the professional skills or talents of the targeted athletes. Instead, they tend to focus solely on the athletes' image and appearance, Wang Dazhao, a Beijing based sports commentator, told the Global Times.

According to Wang, to support their "idols," fans in this toxic culture see no teammates, only enemies, and anyone who hinders their idol's pursuit of victory becomes a target for attack.

Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach. While law enforcement must continue to crack down on illegal activities associated with toxic fandom, as supported by recent statements from the Chinese Table Tennis Association and the Chinese Gymnastics Association, it is equally crucial that online platforms take due responsibility.

Social media platforms should enforce stricter regulations, such as swiftly removing harmful content and suspending or banning accounts that engage in malicious behavior.

However, regulations alone will not suffice. There is a need for broader social guidance to help fans appreciate sports for what they truly are. The public should be encouraged to view competition outcomes with a balanced perspective, recognizing that sports are about more than just winning and losing.

Athletes play a crucial role in addressing toxic fan behavior as well. By staying true to their values and serving as positive role models, they can help steer fans away from the traps of toxic behavior.

In the end, the fight against toxic fandom is not just about protecting athletes - it's about safeguarding the future of sports in China. If left unchecked, this toxic culture threatens to erode the very foundation of what makes sports an important part of society. Only through collective efforts can a healthier, more respectful environment be created that allows sports to flourish and contribute positively to the nation's development.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. [email protected]