- An interviewer in the Chinese state media called the Olympic gold medalist “a manly woman.”
- The reporter asked shot put champion Gong Lijiao: “Do you have any plans for a woman’s life?”
- According to the BBC, thousands of people criticized the interview.
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A Chinese national broadcasting company was criticized for interviewing the Olympic gold medalist, calling her a “manly woman” and asking her if she has a boyfriend.
BBC report After winning the women’s shot put final on Sunday, China Central Television CCTV interviewed Gong Lijiao.
The female reporter told the audience that the athlete “gave me the impression that she was a manly woman until a breakthrough moment.”
Then cut into the interview with Gong, the reporter asked: “Do you have any plans for a woman’s life?”
According to the BBC report, when Gong was confused by this question, the reporter said: “Since you used to be a manly female shot putter, do you think you can be yourself from now on?”
Gong replied: “Um… Maybe I will look at my plan. If I don’t train, maybe I will lose weight, get married and have children. Yes, this is the way life must go.”
According to the BBC report, the reporter then asked Gong if she had a boyfriend, what kind of man she wanted, and whether she would break the wrist with her boyfriend.
The BBC reported that thousands of people complained and questioned.
A post on the Chinese social media network Weibo said: “It’s not that she can’t get married, but that no man is her opponent… When we talk about women, it’s not just marriage or appearance, but also dreams and dreams. Dream. Achievement.
According to the BBC report, Gong himself replied to the post, writing: “This fully expresses my feelings! Thank you!”
