Jayce
On August 7, after completing his matches at the Paris Olympics, badminton player Wang Chang landed in Beijing, where a crowd of fans eagerly chased him through the airport. In response to the commotion, he posted in a fan group, saying, “I think everyone should be more reasonable—my luggage was almost crushed.” He also jokingly added, “But I could see that some fans have good physical fitness; no wonder they’re sports fans, running pretty fast with their cameras.” Although Wang Chang responded politely, fans should not take his words lightly.
This phenomenon of “airport greetings” is a manifestation of fan culture, which in recent years has led to behaviors like stalking, gathering, and crowding, causing public safety issues such as blocked pathways and trampling incidents. According to the Capital Airport Public Security Bureau, hundreds of individuals have been detained, fined, or otherwise administratively punished in recent years for disturbing public order or invading privacy, many of whom violated rules during airport greetings. Such chaotic scenes should not extend into the realm of sports.
The essence of sports lies in competition and fairness, emphasizing the spirit of striving, teamwork, and the demonstration of individual abilities. The uncertainty of the outcome until the last moment is what makes sports competition so compelling. However, the intrusion of fan culture may shift the focus from athletes’ performance on the field to their private lives, appearances, or social media presence, which detracts from the true value of sports—the Olympic spirit of “higher, faster, stronger.”
Moreover, the infiltration of fan culture could distract athletes, diverting their attention to social media interactions, fan expectations, and public pressure, potentially affecting their training and performance. This not only hinders their development but also disrupts their normal life and training routines. In this case, Wang Chang being chased by fans could easily have led to accidents and interferes with the athlete’s normal life and training. Whether it’s fans or professional photographers, such behavior should not be condoned.
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He Ji Ting
