Li Meizhen's determination to finish the race despite getting her period mid-way has sparked a global conversation on athletic endurance and period stigma.
When video clips of Chinese distance runner Li Meizhen resurfaced on social media recently, the internet did what it does best: it divided into intense debate, generated wild rumours, and turned a pragmatic athletic decision into a global cultural moment.
The footage, originally captured at the 2024 Hengshui Lake Marathon, shows Meizhen pushing through the final kilometers of a 42-kilometer race with visible menstrual blood streaming down her legs.
For millions scrolling through Instagram and X, the image was shocking, inspiring or controversial. But for Meizhen, the choice was purely professional.
At the 34km mark, just 8km from the finish line, Meizhen felt her period start unexpectedly.
