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“Should I Wear A Jacket?”: National Athlete Claps Back At Criticism Over “Skimpy” Swimsuit
A Chinese retired swimmer defended herself against social media users criticizing her choice of swimsuit as being too revealing.
Liu Xiang represented her country internationally, winning a gold medal in the 50-metre backstroke at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games.
In 2022, she retired from competitive swimming and became an influencer. Liu currently has over 5.5 million followers on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, and 1.3 million fans on Weibo, the country’s most popular microblogging site.
Highlights
- Retired swimmer Liu Xiang defended her swimsuit choices against social media criticism.
- Liu won a gold medal in the 50m backstroke at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games.
- She previously addressed body-shaming comments, emphasizing "healthy beauty."
RELATED:
Gold medalist Liu Xiang responded to the critics who said her swimwear choices were those of an X-rated content creator
Image credits: liuxiang_xx
Image credits: LiuXiang_11
On social media, the retired swimmer showcases different aspects of her life, from travel to fashion to her passion for the sport.
Liu recently hit back at hateful comments from users judging her swimwear choices. “I saw many people calling me a soft-p*rn live-streamer. Is there something wrong with my lifestyle? Should I wear down jackets instead of a swimsuit while swimming?” Liu wrote on Weibo on November 30.
The 28-year-old accompanied the post with different photos of herself at the beach and by the pool. One of them featured a brown fur jacket and floral shorts edited onto a poolside picture.
“Should I wear down jackets instead of a swimsuit while swimming?” asked the 28-year-old Chinese star
Image credits: LiuXiang_11
Image credits: LiuXiang_11
She added: “I learned to swim at the age of five. Swimming has become an inseparable part of my life.
“I love myself in a swimsuit, and I appreciate seeing other girls in swimwear. I hope my social media content conveys a positive attitude towards life to my audience. Am I doing anything wrong?
“If you ask whether I would dare to post videos of myself in a swimsuit in the future, my answer is: absolutely!”
Liu won a gold medal in the 50-metre backstroke at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games
Image credits: liuxiang_xx
Image credits: liuxiang_xx
Liu was flooded with supportive comments from her followers, many of whom congratulated the star for embracing her body and urged people to stop commenting on the physical appearance and clothing of others.
“You are the most beautiful! ! Be brave and confident to be yourself,” one fan wrote.
“You are obviously healthy and beautiful, why do some people talk so much?” another commented.
A third follower added: “An independent and free soul is the source of happiness. Being yourself is more important than anything else. You are you and you will always be you.”
“Swimsuits are not p*rnographic, how dare anyone question you? Just be yourself and share what you love, we all love you,” a separate user stated.
Liu previously called out a commenter who criticized her legs, saying, “I know I am fat. It’s a healthy beauty. I embrace everything about myself”
Image credits: LiuXiang_11
“It’s absolutely right to show your true self,” somebody else noted. “Swimming is not just a sport; it’s a way of life. I support your confidence and determination.”
“What kind of people criticize Liu? They must have shadows in their minds, leading them to perceive everything negatively,” a separate user suggested.
Earlier this year, Liu responded to a user who commented on her weight gain, particularly in her legs.
“OK, I know I am fat. It’s a healthy beauty. I embrace everything about myself. I am the most beautiful one,” the content creator replied, as per the South China Morning Post.
While Liu’s social media accounts remain active, another Chinese athlete, Wu Liufang, had her account banned for posting “thirst trap” videos, according to the outlet. The former gymnast reportedly gained millions of followers after her ban was lifted a week later.
“Just wear what you like and don’t worry about the comments,” a reader advised
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What do you think ?
veryvenasaur 1 week ago
My god, as someone who does competition swimming those suits are for speed and efficiency, not fashion. Let's complain about an actual problem rather than policing women's bodies. Actually, complaining about how hard it is to find a good quality bronze/copper colored pencil would still be more reasonable.
roddy 1 week ago
Nervy for someone to say she has fat legs. Who are these people? Do they think they have perfect physiques? Would they say that about a male athlete? Do they think that swimming uses no muscles?
Forrest Hobbs 1 week ago
She's an elite athlete in top condition and therefore has a better body than 99.9% of the rest of humanity. Who are these morons? And why am I commenting on this article when I'd really rather things like this weren't on BP at all?
Load More Replies...
Earthquake903 1 week ago (edited)
You know, I looked at that picture of her wearing a jacket and it took way to long to realize she was in a pool, with a jacket, then it took even longer to understand that was weird and probably photoshopped. I guess it's time for me to get off Bored Panda.
Gavin Johnson 1 week ago
I have a friend who spends a lot of time in the gym. She loves exercise and the rewards it brings physically, she eats healthily but loves a glass or two of wine and a pizza every now and again, she’s no saint! Moderation in everything I guess. She went on holiday to the Med, her Dad got bent out of shape about her swimsuit, her reply? Dad, I’m an adult, I have worked very hard for this body and I’m damned if I’m going to hide away my work. She wasn’t wearing shoestrings disguised as a bikini so nothing required censorship for the faint hearted. Sad that her choice would get an attempt at being policed by her Dad. Same with Liu, her body, her choice.
LaserBrain 1 week ago
Ok how many people came to this just to see her in her swimsuits. This whole thing seems manufactured.
Kerry Fletcher 1 week ago
Firstly she can wear what she wants to, so can you. Unless there is some dress code wear whatever.
n75mk9nk2n 1 week ago
That poll is so biased I'm not even going to answer. Free speech can and should be moderated. That doesn't mean it isn't free, it just means someone's watching you, and saying asinine things will have consequences. Do better.
Lost Panda 1 week ago
You have the freedom to say what you wish, but that does not mean there will not be consequences for your words. So many people seem to forget that last part...
Load More Replies...
Hoi-Polloi 1 week ago
It's one of those "eat your cake OR have it" moments. Dress as skimpy as you want, but if you do, don't get all shocked & horrified if people look and notice you're pretty or whatever. In any case, most current societies are okay with swimwear and don't call it lewd.
The Other Guest 1 week ago
"Don't get all shocked & horrified if people look and notice you're pretty or whatever." There's nothing wrong with someone look & notice. The problem is when they feel the need to make comments about it, particularly if those comments are in any way shaming the person for what they are wearing.
Load More Replies... veryvenasaur 1 week ago
My god, as someone who does competition swimming those suits are for speed and efficiency, not fashion. Let's complain about an actual problem rather than policing women's bodies. Actually, complaining about how hard it is to find a good quality bronze/copper colored pencil would still be more reasonable.
roddy 1 week ago
Nervy for someone to say she has fat legs. Who are these people? Do they think they have perfect physiques? Would they say that about a male athlete? Do they think that swimming uses no muscles?
Forrest Hobbs 1 week ago
She's an elite athlete in top condition and therefore has a better body than 99.9% of the rest of humanity. Who are these morons? And why am I commenting on this article when I'd really rather things like this weren't on BP at all?
Load More Replies... Earthquake903 1 week ago (edited)
You know, I looked at that picture of her wearing a jacket and it took way to long to realize she was in a pool, with a jacket, then it took even longer to understand that was weird and probably photoshopped. I guess it's time for me to get off Bored Panda.
Gavin Johnson 1 week ago
I have a friend who spends a lot of time in the gym. She loves exercise and the rewards it brings physically, she eats healthily but loves a glass or two of wine and a pizza every now and again, she’s no saint! Moderation in everything I guess. She went on holiday to the Med, her Dad got bent out of shape about her swimsuit, her reply? Dad, I’m an adult, I have worked very hard for this body and I’m damned if I’m going to hide away my work. She wasn’t wearing shoestrings disguised as a bikini so nothing required censorship for the faint hearted. Sad that her choice would get an attempt at being policed by her Dad. Same with Liu, her body, her choice.
LaserBrain 1 week ago
Ok how many people came to this just to see her in her swimsuits. This whole thing seems manufactured.
Kerry Fletcher 1 week ago
Firstly she can wear what she wants to, so can you. Unless there is some dress code wear whatever.
n75mk9nk2n 1 week ago
That poll is so biased I'm not even going to answer. Free speech can and should be moderated. That doesn't mean it isn't free, it just means someone's watching you, and saying asinine things will have consequences. Do better.
Lost Panda 1 week ago
You have the freedom to say what you wish, but that does not mean there will not be consequences for your words. So many people seem to forget that last part...
Load More Replies... Hoi-Polloi 1 week ago
It's one of those "eat your cake OR have it" moments. Dress as skimpy as you want, but if you do, don't get all shocked & horrified if people look and notice you're pretty or whatever. In any case, most current societies are okay with swimwear and don't call it lewd.
The Other Guest 1 week ago
"Don't get all shocked & horrified if people look and notice you're pretty or whatever." There's nothing wrong with someone look & notice. The problem is when they feel the need to make comments about it, particularly if those comments are in any way shaming the person for what they are wearing.
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