In recent days, the sports sector of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been in turmoil. Former Director of the Olympic Sports Center of the General Administration of Sports of the CCP, Chen Yingbiao, has been ousted. Chen had a long career within the national sports bureau, where he was involved in managing multiple sports programs.
On October 11, the CCP’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and State Supervision Commission stationed at the General Administration of Sports, along with the Hebei Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision, announced that Chen Yingbiao, the former Director of the National Olympic Sports Center of the General Administration of Sports, is suspected of serious violations of discipline and law, and is currently under review and investigation.
However, the announcement did not specify the reasons for Chen Yingbiao’s investigation.
Public records indicate that Chen Yingbiao previously served as a teacher, staff member, and battalion commander at the Chinese Communist Party Military Sports Academy. During his tenure, he formed a rugby team within the military, and later served as the Director of the Military Sports Training Bureau of the General Staff Department of the military. From January 2015 to August 2017, he was the Deputy Director of the Weightlifting, Wrestling, and Judo Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sports.
From August 2017 to June 2018, Chen Yingbiao served as the Deputy Director of the Winter Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sports; in June 2018, he became the Director and Party Secretary of the Small Ball Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sports; and in April 2019, he was elected as the Chairman of the Chinese Rugby Football Association.
Starting from November 4, 2021, Chen Yingbiao held the position of Director and Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee at the Olympic Sports Center. In May 2022, during the restructuring of the Chinese women’s football team, he also served as the team leader. In October 2024, Chen Yingbiao stepped down as the Director and Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the National Olympic Sports Center. In April 2025, he took on the role of President of the CCP Hockey Association.
Since November 2022, a “anti-corruption storm” has swept through the CCP sports field and spread to the entire sports sector.
Numerous high-ranking sports officials have fallen from grace, including former head coach of the CCP football team Li Tie, former Secretary-General of the Football Association Liu Yi, Executive Vice Secretary-General of the Football Association and Minister of the State Administration Department Chen Yongliang, former Chairman of the Rowing Association Liu Aijie, former Chairman of the Football Association Chen Xuyuan, Deputy Director of the General Administration of Sports Du Zhaocai, former Vice Chairman of the Football Association Yu Hongchen, Chairman of the Chinese Super League Company Liu Jun, and former Director of the General Administration of Sports Gou Zhongwen.
In September of last year, the CCP’s General Administration of Sports and the Ministry of Public Security issued a public announcement, imposing severe penalties on 43 individuals involved in illegal gambling and match-fixing, with 17 individuals suspended from sports for five years.
Canadian basketball coach Ju Bin once told Epoch Times that the entire sports sector in China is rotten, with everyone chasing after fame and profit. From players to referees, agents, and top sports officials, there are corrupt elements. Match-fixing, corrupt referees, and fake games persist. With the national system remaining unchanged, even the best players will be buried.
The above events reflect a deepening crisis within the CCP’s sports sector, highlighting rampant corruption and governance issues that need to be addressed for the integrity and credibility of Chinese sports.