Women’s 400m runners go viral on Chinese social media ‘for looking like men’
- Appearance of Liao Mengxue and Tong Zenghuan has caused netizens to question their gender
- Pair represented China in the 4x400m relay earlier this year
The issue of gender in Chinese athletics has become a trending topic on social media, Chinese state-owned newspaper People’s Daily reported.
This has happened because of the appearance of the winner and silver medallist in the women’s 400m at the recent National Track and Field Championships Finals in Daqing, Heilongjiang province.
Liao Mengxue and Tong Zenghuan finished first and second in 53.25 seconds and 53.35 respectively, nearly two seconds ahead of the runner in third place.
The pair have since had their gender called into question because of their appearance, with Chinese social media users suggesting “they look like men”. One commented that, “The voice is too male when interviewed!”
This is not the first time the pair have come under scrutiny on social media, with their success at the July 2019 National Athletics Championships held in Shenyang also attracting comment.