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Tokyo 2020: Viral Chinese swimmer Fu Yuanhui ‘not going to Olympics’ after missing qualifiers

  • Reports say that Rio 2016 media darling will not be at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games after absence from qualifying event
  • Swimmer disqualified from 100m backstroke at May’s Olympic selection event in Qingdao after false start

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Chinese swimmer Fu Yuanhui at a race in 2018, carrying a left shoulder injury. Photo: Xinhua
Chinese swimmer Fu Yuanhui, one of the media darlings of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, will not swim at Tokyo 2020 this summer, according to reports in mainland domestic media.
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Fu went viral after her surprised reaction to winning the 100-metre backstroke bronze medal in Rio was shared online, but she is not likely to repeat the feat next month.

The swim star was absent from China’s National Games and Tokyo 2020 qualifiers on Tuesday, which included the 100m backstroke – Fu’s pet event.

Yesterday was the second day of competition in Xian, Shaanxi province, with Fu not present on Monday’s day one either.

According to a report on Sina, Fu will miss the Tokyo Games unless the Chinese Swimming Association changes its rules for selection.

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