Il Nuovo Postiglione - Chinese swimmer Sun Yang reports cyberbullying to police

Sun, 34, returned to competition in 2024 after a four-year ban for smashing vials of blood during a 2018 doping test, the circumstances of which he still disputes.

His team said Friday that false information including "maliciously fabricated rumours" had circulated online recently, calling it "organised and planned cyberbullying and defamation".

They did not specify what false information had been spread about Sun.

The swimmer reported the case to police in the eastern city of Hangzhou, his team said on social media, posting a photo of a notice he had received after filing the complaint.

"We solemnly warn all rumour-mongers and malicious disseminators: immediately delete all infringing content and cease forwarding," his team said.

"Our legal team has secured evidence and will pursue civil, administrative, and even criminal liability according to the law."

Chinese authorities have been grappling with what state media has called "toxic fandom" surrounding its sports stars.

It includes fans obsessing over athletes' personal lives and attacking opponents online.

The nearly two-metre tall (six feet seven inches) Sun was China's first male Olympic swimming champion, winning the 400m and 1500m freestyle at the 2012 London Games.

But he has long been a controversial figure in the pool.

Some rivals accused him of cheating at the 2016 Rio Olympics and two competitors refused to stand with him on medal podiums at the 2019 World Championships.

Sun was also given a three-month ban in 2014 after testing positive for a banned substance.

S.Abato--INP