The Fall of the 'Princess of the Balance Beam'... Gymnastics Star at the Center of 'Sexy Dance' Controversy Speaks Out

Wu Liufang (31), an influencer and former member of the Chinese national gymnastics team who previously sparked controversy with a 'sexy dance' video, has issued her first public statement regarding the matter.

On the 27th, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that Wu Liufang explained she turned to social media activities due to financial difficulties. She stated, "I started live streaming because I felt I had nowhere else to go."

Wu Liufang was a gymnast recognized for her outstanding talent, winning multiple gold medals on the balance beam at the World Gymnastics Championships and earning the nickname 'Princess of the Balance Beam.' However, she ended her athletic career after sustaining a neck injury during the trials for the 2012 London Olympics. After retiring, she entered Beijing Sport University in 2014, and upon graduation, worked as a coach at a sports school. It is reported that she struggled financially due to unpaid wages and other hardships.

The former Chinese national gymnastics team member turned influencer, who sparked controversy with a "sexy dance" video, has made a statement. Screenshot from Douyin

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As a result, Wu Liufang began live streaming in 2019. However, in the early days, even after broadcasting for six hours a day, her monthly income was only about 3,000 yuan (approximately 600,000 won). In an effort to increase her earnings, she gradually chose more provocative content. At the time, Olympic champion Guan Chenchen publicly criticized her, saying "Don't leave a stain on the gymnastics community," which further fueled the controversy.

In 2024, Wu Liufang attracted significant attention by posting videos on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, in which she danced in a miniskirt and stockings, placing herself at the center of a major controversy. The release of another video in which she wore the Chinese national team training uniform further intensified criticism from both inside and outside the gymnastics community, with many stating it was "inappropriate for a former national team member."

Despite the controversy, her follower count surged to over six million, but her account was eventually suspended due to issues of explicit content. However, after protests from her fans, the account was restored. During repeated cycles of suspension and reinstatement, millions of her followers were invalidated.

In this interview, Wu Liufang also spoke candidly about her past decisions. She admitted, "Even now, I still ask myself whether the choice I made in 2019 was the right one," confessing her struggles between livelihood and honor.

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