Two female track and field athletes from mainland China, Liao Mengxue and Tong Zenghuan, have been at the center of controversy due to their physical appearance and voices resembling male characteristics. Recently, several bloggers from mainland China and Taiwanese media outlets claimed that the World Athletics Federation updated its global rankings, with both athletes’ 400-meter records missing, leading to speculation about their possible disqualification over alleged “male characteristics.”
However, upon investigation of the World Athletics Federation’s official website, the names of both athletes can still be found. Although their primary events, the 200m and 400m, show no world rankings, Liao Mengxue’s name appears in the 100m global ranking at 532nd. There’s no record for Tong Zenghuan’s global ranking, but she is listed as having participated in a track and field competition in 2023.
Their absence from the 400m rankings doesn’t necessarily indicate disqualification. Instead, it might be due to prolonged inactivity in track events. The claims of their disqualification due to “male appearance” lack concrete evidence and might not be accurate.
In June, the Chinese Athletics Association issued a notice, adhering to the International Athletics Federation’s mandate, requiring testosterone testing for female athletes in every provincial team. Athletes exceeding the limit cannot compete. Indeed, neither of the two athletes publicly participated after June, with rumors of their alleged disqualification becoming widespread by August, sparking heated discussions.
The claims from Taiwanese media and mainland bloggers lack concrete evidence, and the notion of “disqualification” may be imprecise. However, the Chinese Athletics Association has not responded to the public uproar regarding the alleged disqualification of Liao Mengxue and Tong Zenghuan.
Both athletes hail from Hunan and are prominent 400m sprinters in China. Their gender, however, has been a topic of discussion due to their masculine appearance and subdued feminine features. The pair’s features, from eyebrows to facial structure and even their deep voices, deviate from typical female traits, which has intensified scrutiny over their gender.
Addressing the gender controversy, the national track and field team clarified on their official Weibo that both Liao Mengxue and Tong Zenghuan are indeed females, both even sharing photos of their longer hairstyles.
In January of this year, Liao Mengxue garnered attention again due to her change in hairstyle from short to long. She also shared a photo holding a baby, with news indicating that Liao Mengxue married and had a daughter in 2020. In the photo, she was seen feeding a banana to the child, displaying a maternal side.
Tong Zenghuan’s photos with long hair also caught attention. In the 2021 National Games, she teamed up with Liao Mengxue in the 4x400m relay, securing a victory for the Hunan team. The photographs depicted the duo tying their long hair back, showcasing a graceful side not seen before.