Retired China Olympic champion diver sparks debate after reality show reveals toxic parenting

South China Morning Post10 October 2026, 10:00 UTCPeople's Republic of China

A former Chinese Olympic diving champion’s quest for independence has struck a chord online, after her mother’s controlling behaviour drew widespread criticism following their appearance on a reality TV show. Zhang Jiaqi, 22, grew up in a modest Beijing family and went on to win gold in the women’s synchronised 10-metre platform event at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. Her youthful charm and exceptional talent have also attracted 3.3 million followers on Douyin. Zhang began diving at six, won her...

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