Chinese athletes are drawing attention with their interesting practices in recent competitions. Notably, their practice of banding their bellies stems from cultural beliefs.

In the 35-kilometer women's walking competition, the pink band placed over Peng Li's belly button caught the audience's attention. Although Peng Li finished 4th, the band became one of the most talked-about topics of the race.

Research has revealed that this practice is not medical or performance-related, but rather stems from cultural and spiritual sentiments. According to ancient Chinese beliefs, the belly is seen as a gateway that carries negative energy into the body.

Therefore, some Chinese athletes prefer to cover their bellies to prevent negative energy from entering their bodies. It is known that champion athletes like Yang Jiayu also use this method.