By now, you are probably familiar with Fu Yuanhui, the Chinese swimmer who recently became an online sensation for her adorable interview.
This time, Fu became another popular topic by talking openly about her menstrual cramps. Her frank interview happened after the 4x100 medley relay at the Rio Olympics, in which her team placed fourth. At first, she was absent for the post-match interview, and was spotted crouching behind a board in pain.
When she got up for the interview, the elated face from a few days ago was nowhere to be seen.
"I feel I didn't swim well today; I let my teammates down," she told one Chinese reporter. "Because my period came yesterday, I'm feeling a bit weak, but this is not an excuse."
After the interview was aired, some Chinese viewers claimed that Fu was lying about having her period, since swimming while being on it would be impossible.
BBC noted that this has sparked a debate online about tampons in China. Public awareness on using tampons is reported to be very low in China. Not only are the women very unfamiliar with tampons, but it is also a cultural taboo — tampons are believed to stop women from being virgins.
There is also the enduring myth that period blood contaminates water. However, gynecologist Dr. Jen Gunter clarified in an interview with Today.com that period blood is "not any kind of public health risk," and that "to hone in on [it] is ridiculous when there's also sweat, urine, and fecal matter to consider."
Thankfully, many more took to the Internet to support Fu's frankness. Weibo user TAO wrote, "I really admire Fu Yuanhui, for swimming while she was on her period...she felt guilty for coming fourth, but Fu Yuanhui we're still very proud of you."
After giving an interview that was unprecedentedly frank and adorable for an Olympian, Fu continues to break sports taboos by talking openly about something so natural but yet considered a taboo by many.
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