Unlike in past games, China did not win any gold medal on the first day of the Rio Olympics. But instead of criticizing those sportsmen and women who failed to finish top of the podium, the majority of fans spoke well of their efforts.

Chinese swimmer Sun Yang received many words of comfort and understanding for his tears after winning the silver medal instead of the hoped-for gold in the men's 400-meter freestyle.

And swimmer Fu Yuanhui won people's hearts with her forthright words when she was interviewed after she broke her own personal best in a preliminary heat of the women's 100 meter backstroke to reach the final.