Why loveable Chinese swimmer Fu is wary of fame

Her candid interviews with journalists and theatrical facial expressions have endeared her to millions of internet users during the Olympic Games.

But Chinese swimmer Fu Yuanhui almost didn't make it on the plane to Rio.

The 20-year-old was unable to train properly for almost six months due to injuries and an illness that left her coughing up blood.

Despite her poor performance at China's Olympic trials earlier this year, Fu earned a berth for the Rio Games by virtue of her performances at the 2015 swimming world championships in Russia, where she won two gold medals.

Fortunately, Fu overcame her health concerns and prepared for the Olympics with a rigorous training program in Australia.

The hard work paid off when she tied with Canada's Kylie Masse for the bronze medal in the 100m backstroke on Monday with a time of 58.76 seconds.

A day earlier, Fu had expressed surprise at being told she achieved a personal best time in the semifinals.

"That was my personal best!," she exclaimed with wide-eyed disbelief during a television interview.

"I was very sick. At one stage I thought I wouldn't make it. I spent three months trying to get back to my top form, and the devil knows what I went through. It was so tiring. Sometimes I really felt like I was about to die. And honestly, when I was training in Australia, I might as well be dead. But with today's result, it's all worth it. I'm happy and content."

The interview went viral on social media and Fu has been inundated with publicity requests in the past few days.

But she has politely declined them as she focuses on her last event in Rio, the 4x100m medley relay.

"I was very surprised by the reaction and also a bit scared," Fu said of the sudden attention on her. "I don't want to be too famous. An old Chinese proverb says that fame can bring many problems. I would prefer to keep a low profile and concentrate on my career as a swimmer."

While Fu has only just caught the attention of the world's media in the past week, her loveable personality has long been esteemed by China's swimming team.

"Everybody loves her. She always lifts the team's spirits with her optimism and exuberance," said experienced swimming writer Zhou Xin.

Fu's playful nature extends to her interaction with coaches, with whom she has been known to play practical jokes.

"She often pokes her fingers into the ribs of her coaches when they are talking to her," Zhou said. "She likes to be cheeky and to make people laugh."

While she is slightly disconcerted by her abrupt rise to fame, Fu said she would not change.

"That's the way I have always been," she said. "I like to be positive and also sincere. That's just part of my nature."

Fu Yuanhui might not be the most successful athlete of the Rio Olympics, but she is already guaranteed to be among the best remembered. Endit