Fu Yuanhui

Fu Yuanhui is a Chinese competitive swimmer who specialises in backstroke, born in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, on 7 January 1996 and an only daughter, who started swimming at the age of five. She finished eighth in the 100 metre backstroke final at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, won two gold medals in the 50 m and 100 m backstroke at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, and won the 50 metre backstroke at the 2015 World Aquatics Championships while helping China win the 4 by 100 metre medley relay. At the 2016 Rio Olympics she won bronze in the 100 metre backstroke, tying for third with Canada's Kylie Masse in a national record 58.76. Her cheerful interviews made her a national icon, and her frank comment about swimming while on her period was widely praised for challenging a taboo in sport.