The latest Olympic hero for China is not even a gold medalist.Fu Yuanhui is popular for simply being herself -- unafraid to show her unfiltered, wacky facial expressions and candid words.Her smile lit up the deck as she took a victory lap with the bronze medal around her neck for her performance in the 100-meter backstroke. She didnt care that it wasnt gold, even if her country has long pushed athletes to get to the top of the podium.As if to prove the point, she thanked herself.I want to tell myself that ... your perseverance and efforts in the past have not been in vain, Fu said. Though I didnt win first place, I have already surpassed myself.Her candor -- paired with animated facial expressions -- is a rarity among Chinese elite athletes, who have spent so much time in the rigid state sport system that their vocabulary is often robotically limited by the state parlance that puts the countrys honor and national pride first.Just six years ago, a senior Chinese official chided short-track speedskater Zhou Yang for failing to thank the country first and only mentioning her parents after winning gold in the 1,500-meter event at the Vancouver Olympics.For decades, the Chinese public has been obsessed with Olympic gold medals but turned their nose up on anything less than the top spot on the podium. They even were downright cruel to athletes who failed to win gold and considered it a shame to come only second.The adoration piled upon Fu as her followers on social media swelled to nearly 5 million from 56,000 this week, the latest sign that China is moving away from the gold-medal mentality and starting to respect sportsmanship and athletes as individuals.The Chinese society has indeed changed. We still have the collective desire to remain first-class in the world, but we are respecting individual rights, opined the state-run newspaper Global Times -- known for its nationalistic stance -- on Fus soaring popularity.Although Fu Yuanhui is an exception, it marks changes in the generation of younger athletes. The echoing applause by the Chinese public marks a shift in the societal awareness, wrote the editorial, suggesting that Chinas politics is partly to be blamed for the restraints and reservation often exhibited by Chinese athletes.Born in an average family in the prospering eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, Fu began to swim at 5 when her parents hoped the water exercise could improve her health and alleviate her asthma, according to a 2015 Chinese media report. Her talent emerged, and the girl was recruited into the municipal swimming team. Considered a genius in the pool, Fu competed in London but came home empty-handed. Unabashed, she reportedly joked she had drunk enough of the foot-washing water of other swimmers.Fu apparently has not considered the Olympic gold a must in her swimming career, a departure from state athletes who are tasked with winning for the sake of the country.On her 20th birthday in January, she posted this on her social media account: I know for what I live. I know the kind of life I want. Its simple. Joy. Loving Heart. Gratitude.This is what I want. Being outstanding or not, it does not matter.Her parents also put no pressure on her.We set no goal for her, but whats important is to enjoy the process and to be happy, her father, Fu Chunsheng, told local media in 2013. But theres one principle that she should feel no regret when she looks back on this experience after 10 years.It doesnt look like she will. The swimmer claimed she used primordial force in Rio, and the term became an instant meme in Chinas social media. And her exaggerated expression of surprise in learning her speed has gone viral:Incredible. I am that fast? she said. I am very satisfied. Leo Komarov Islanders Jersey . -- In one brief spurt, Brazil turned a close game into a rout and proved again it will be a strong World Cup favourite. Thomas Greiss Jersey . Anthony Calvillo, through 20 CFL seasons, was frequently invincible and largely stoic in the heat of competition. 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The Champions Cup began with Saracens inflicting a first home defeat on Toulon, Connachts fightback to beat Toulouse and Scarlets extending Sales losing streak in Europe to 12. But who was player of the week?Bundee AkiIreland must be thinking October 2017 cant come around soon enough when Aki would be Irish qualified. He was outstanding for Connacht against Toulouse, in creating the first try, getting involved at the breakdown and scoring the try that led to the match winning conversion.Owen FarrellSaracens didnt know what they were missing until the out-half started his first game of the season and pulled the strings to inflict a first home defeat on Toulon in Europe. He began the scoring with a penalty three minutes in and ended it with a penalty a minute from time that cemented their victory.Louis PicamolesThe Frenchman drew two tacklers before his backhanded flick put Calum Clark in to score a try in the opening minutes in Northamptons win over his former club, Montpellier. He showed brilliant pace to make a 40 metre break which led to a penalty and his defensive ability at the breakdown showed further quality.Scott WilliamsThe centre provided the moment of the match as Scarlets beat Sale, a brilliant behind the back offload after a break from his midfield partner Jonathan Davies. Considering he was in a moon boot for the first half of the week, he did well and his man of the match performance ended with calls from Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac for an intternational call up.ddddddddddddJonny GrayGlasgow have spoken about making strides in Europe in Gregor Townsends last season and Gray epitomized their effort on Friday as they put Leicester Tigers to the sword. A dominant display by Gray and the forward pack set the platform for victory, providing quick ball and putting immense pressure on Tigers which led to two intercept tries.Joey CarberyThere was a time when Leinster shuddered every time Jonathan Sexton was injured. Twenty year-old Carbery stepped in to fill the void on Saturday, with maturity beyond his years on his European debut. He led Leinster in carries (16) and metres made (127) in a brilliant running, attacking performance which drew comparisons to a young Beauden Barrett.Danny CiprianiIt proved to be an easy run out for Wasps, but even so, Cipriani stepped up to the mark. He marshaled the attack well, providing quick ball as Wasps scored 12 tries. If his performances continue, could Eddie Jones recall the out-half?Wesley FofanaFofana scored a brace against Exeter Chiefs and was a menace throughout as Clermont barely hit third gear to achieve a bonus-point victory inside 43 minutes. He showed power and skill as the French side looked to show last years group stage exit was just a temporary deviation from their trend of reaching the latter stages of the competition.? ' ' '