Fu Yuanhui may be the most likable athlete in the history of the Olympic Games.
The Chinese swimmer rose to prominence for her over-the-top post-race interviews which have a penchant for going viral.
Plus when she wins a medal, she reacts just like any normal human being would.
Well, ‘normal’ is subjective.
Me, if I ever won an Olympic medal: pic.twitter.com/GTChQ7RxBW #FuYuanhui
— Kath Faulkner (@t3dkath) August 11, 2016
Fu has won over a new generation of Olympics fans with her remarks following her team’s fourth place finish in the 4x100m medley relay on Sunday. She looked visibly pained talking to state-broadcaster CCTV poolside after the race.
“I don’t think I performed very well today. I feel I let my teammates down.”
When she was asked whether she had stomach problems or not, Fu didn’t hesitate to let the world know that she was fatigued because she had her period the day before, not that she was using that as an excuse.
“It’s because my period came yesterday, so I felt particularly tired – but this isn’t an excuse, I still didn’t swim well enough.”
Fu has been praised for breaking the taboo and openly talking about her menstrual cycle, much like British tennis player Heather Watson received plaudits for attributing her first round Australian Open loss in 2015 to “girl things”.
However, Fu’s comments may be a little more important because the subject is a hot topic in China at the moment as only 2% of women in the country use tampons compared to 42% of women in USA.
It’s understood that China’s first domestically produced tampons, Danbishuang, will be launched soon.
Fu Yuanhui talking about her period is the Olympic hero I can relate to
— Tahlea Aualiitia (@taliaualiitia) August 16, 2016
Fu Yuanhui is the hero the Olympics needs
— sphinx of coldness (@cvrmillv) August 16, 2016
Fu Yuanhui is my hero. Not all superheroes wear capes. pic.twitter.com/7155xbpITT
— Abbey Pomeroy (@abbeypoms) August 16, 2016
https://twitter.com/bridgetbunton/status/765400674490314752
My new hero #FuYuanhui #onmyperiod
— Surwat Safdar (@sowwyvowwy) August 16, 2016
On the latest episode of the GAA Hour Hurling Show Wooly and the lads reflect on a monumental weekend of action. Listen below or subscribe here on iTunes.
