Kong Linghui (file photo)

BEIJING, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Former Olympic champion Kong Linghui has been suspended from his role as head coach of the Chinese women's table tennis team, after a Singaporean hotel filed a lawsuit over a gambling debt, which has stirred up heated discussion online.

The dominant public opinion voiced support for the investigation and suspension.

"I support the decision. Kong's actions should be investigated," said a user named "Tanzhe" on Weibo, a microblogging site.

Another user "Jujun" said, "As a public figure and a Party member, he should receive disciplinary punishment."

"Behind the wide public support for disciplinary punishment is the hope for a cleaner government and a society ruled by law," said Jiao Hongchang from China University of Political Science and Law.

"It is an increasingly widespread idea in China that the same rules apply to everyone," he said.

The Chinese General Administration of Sport apologized for the "negative influence" caused by the incident and promised further investigation into the matter, vowing a "zero-tolerance attitude toward any behavior that violates sporting ethics, disciplines or laws."

Kong, who was at the World Championships in Dusseldorf, Germany, was ordered to immediately return to China. An initial investigation conducted by the Chinese Table Tennis Association described his behavior as in "serious violation" of disciplinary requirements for public officials.

Kong made his name on the world stage in the late 1990s and early 2000s as he won a series of major international games. He retired in 2006 and became head coach of the women's national team in 2013.

According to existing rules, civil servants and public officials who participate in gambling will receive either a warning, demotion or be fired in accordance with the severity of their gambling.

In an announcement posted on his Weibo account, Kong has denied direct participation in gambling, noting he was just watching friends and relatives play and that he was not the debtor.

According to his explanation, he just helped the friends and relatives to get chips and left his personal information in this process.

The spokesperson of the administration said that further investigation will be conducted following the initial probe by the Chinese Table Tennis Association and punishment will be meted out in accordance with relevant regulations and laws.

China has been enhancing disciplinary and legal scrutiny of its officials in a bid to achieve cleaner governance.

The concept of rule of law has been gradually taking root in the minds of Chinese people, and is also reflected in literary and artistic works.

"Discipline is the soul of Chinese sport. Our remarkable achievements are primarily attributed to strict discipline," commented a user "Laomi" on Wechat, China's instant messaging app.

"I believe Kong knows this well. Strict discipline is the precondition for Chinese sport to go further," he said.