Terrified Quan in tears after getting swarmed by fans

Rachael Ng

Three-time Olympic gold medalist Quan Hongchan was visibly overwhelmed as she started crying and cowering inside a bathroom after hundreds of fans accosted her at a hotel during the national Olympians' visit to Macau.

The 17-year-old diving sensation reportedly had been chased inside Galaxy Macau, where the Chinese Olympic delegation were staying during a three-day visit that ended yesterday.

After hanging out with teammates, Quan found herself surrounded by hundreds of fans on her return to the hotel and was forced to flee to a bathroom.

"She was overwhelmed and crying inside," according to a hotel staff member.

Many fans, including men, were seen rushing into the bathroom for females, where Quan hid. Security guards had to be called to quell the chaos.

In a bid to restore order, a staff member apparently told fans that Quan was willing to take photos with them and asked them to queue up. Quan was eventually escorted out under the protection of a phalanx of security guards without taking photos or interacting with fans.

Netizens expressed great concern over the incident and chastised fans for disrespecting the teenager's personal space.

On the last day of their visit, the national athletes attended different community events in groups.

Table tennis stars Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha led a 20-strong group on a visit to an integrated services center at Seac Pai Van managed by the General Union of Neighbourhood Associations of Macao, where they made snow skin mooncakes and played with fans. Another group, led by Quan and table tennis legend Ma Long, visited a family service center of the Women's Association of Macau and played interactive games with children.

Table tennis star Fan Zhengdong, who won gold in men's singles, and swimmer Pan Zhanle, the 100-meter freestyle world-record holder, visited an integrated service center in Taipa managed by the Macao Federation of Trade Unions to watch children's performances and participate in parent-child workshops.

Fan said this was his first time visiting Hong Kong and Macau and it was "happy and unforgettable."

Shooter Li Yuehong, who was also visiting the SARs for the first time, said he was shocked by the public's enthusiasm and hoped to provide advice and encouragement to young people.

"Hong Kong and Macao residents are very enthusiastic about sports," said swimmer Zhang Yufei, who won six medals at the Paris Games, the most among all athletes.

She encouraged everyone to learn swimming and hoped to visit Macau again.

rachael.ng@singtaonewscorp.com