The USA women’s diving team’s reaction to their Chinese counterparts’ celebratory pose in Paris gained virality over the past week – stirring up whispers on social media.
On Saturday, Olympic debutants Chen Yiwen and Chang Yani secured China’s first gold medals in diving after beating the United States and Great Britain teams in the women’s synchronized 3-meter springboard final.
The Chinese duo scored 337.68 to beat Americans Sarah Bacon and Kassidy Cook -dubbed ‘Cook’N’Bacon” who posted 314.64 and Great Britain’s Yasmine Harper and Scarlett Mew Jensen finishing with a 302.28 score.
After receiving their medals, Chen picked Chang up in a bridal carry and posed for a picture on top of the podium.
As a result, Cook’s jaw-dropping reaction was captured and sent social media into a frenzy.
Chinese Olympians Chan Yiwen and Chang Yani’s celebration in Paris went viral online
USA diver Kassidy Cook’s reaction to Chen carrying Chang sent social media into a frenzy
While their celebration continues to gain traction online, users began to speculate that the gold-winning duo were romantically involved outside their field.
One Xiaohongshu user began romanticizing their paring with a series of their pictures during various competitions, captioned: ‘If love has miracles, I would be the happiest creating them with you.’
‘The most romantic thing is to have your names engraved together in sporting history,’ another user commented.
X (Twitter) page @Football Report later claimed that Chen and Chang are an actual couple, sharing an adorable mirror selfie said to be grabbed from one of their social media accounts.
A twitter page later reported that Chen and Chang are in a relationship as speculations grew
The duo/couple brought home China’s first gold in synchronized diving with a 337.68 score
The Americans secured the silver medal while Great Britain got the bronze finish on Saturday
Whether their relationship is genuine or fan fiction, fans agreed that Chen and Chang’s joint feat and support toward each other has bonded them forever in China’s history books.
‘Chen Yiwen and Chang Yani as individuals or together as an award-winning duo, they are both equally unique and beautiful,’ said one user.
‘No matter the relationship between them, I am touched by their strong bond and hard work.’