Chinese Olympic champion Qin Haiyang insists fiancé’s affair claims are just ‘fake news’
World record holder doubles down on stance on allegations, but social media users go on attack after 50m breaststroke win in Singapore
World record holder and Olympic champion Qin Haiyang has spoken publicly for the first time about claims surrounding his private life, calling allegations he had an affair and used prostitutes “fake news”.
The 25-year-old doubled down on a statement released by his management company, which dismissed the allegations made by his fiancé as entirely false.
Last month, posts reportedly from his fiancé claiming Qin had multiple affairs with fans and a synchronised swimmer while his partner was pregnant, went viral on Chinese social media.
His fiancé also said Qin’s family did not discourage his behaviour and even pressured her to be more understanding.
She further alleged that when she tried to break up with Qin, he used intimate videos to manipulate her into staying and, in a live stream, said he had paid for sex while serving in the army, which is illegal in China.
After his victory in the men’s 50 metres breaststroke at the Swimming World Cup in Singapore on Friday, Qin was asked whether the incident, which came a week before the three-stop competition started in Shanghai, had affected his preparation.
