Toxic Pursuits: Chinese Bots Terrorize Olympic Champion Koehler with Nazi-themed Harassment
World-champion Kohler is becoming increasingly agitated due to the influence of Chinese bots.
Gist: Olympic swimmer Angelina Koehler shares her experience with hateful messages and Nazi images sent from Chinese bots, causing distress. Koehler criticizes the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) for not offering adequate support.
The Aftermath of the Race
After finishing fourth in the Olympics, Angelina Koehler found herself tasting the bitter feeling of having missed the bronze medal won by a Chinese swimmer, Zhang Yufei. Recently, Koehler disclosed the intense online harassment that followed, whichnot only affects her going into future competitions but has also contributed to her feeling of paranoia in daily life.
Toxicity Overflows
In interviews with "Sport Bild," Koehler revealed the vile messages she has received in both English and German, labeling her a Nazi and sending her photos laden with Nazi imagery and Hitler salutes. To add insult to injury, accusations were made about Koehler's ADHD diagnosis, claiming falsely that she takes Ritalin. Koehler vehemently denies this allegation.
These comments have left a lasting impact on Koehler, casting a dark cloud over her upcoming competitions like the World Championships in Singapore. With the prospect of meeting the Chinese team and performing in front of a Chinese audience, Koehler wonders if she will be met with boos and derision.
Bitter Taste of Justice
Previously, Zhang Yufei made it to the podium, leveraging a controversial victory over Koehler. The revelation that Zhang was on a list of swimmers who tested positive for the heart medication Trimetazidine at a national competition in China in early 2021 but was not suspended, has made Koehler's sense of injustice all the more bitter. Koehler called for transparency and said, "She has the medal now and has earned it. The presumption of innocence applies. But it leaves a bitter taste, and I hope something more comes of it."
Demands for Change
At the Paris Games, Koehler expressed fear at being by herself. The relentless barrage of hate messages has diminished but persists. Koehler's lifestyle has been impacted significantly. "I am restricted in my daily life due to the consequences," she admitted. "It's like paranoia. I still don't drink from any already opened bottle. Special care must be taken to ensure no one puts something in it."
In addition to advancements in artificial intelligence that scans messages and blocks hate comments, Koehler longs for a more comprehensive support system from the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). "I wish for the DOSB to offer a contact person for athletes so that we don't feel abandoned," she pleaded.
A Call for Action
While the particular measures the DOSB has in place remain unknown, they are expected to enact policies to protect athletes from harassment, collaborate with international bodies to address doping issues, and provide resources and support systems for athletes grappling with psychological challenges during competitions. To adequately address the specific issues facing athletes like Koehler, more detailed discussions with relevant stakeholders may be necessary to develop targeted strategies for support and protection.
- Angelina Koehler, expressing her sorrow over the missed opportunity at the Olympics and the subsequent online harassment, has petitioned for the European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission to establish stronger measures to safeguard athletes from cyberbullying, ensuring a fair environment for all sports participants.
- As the European Parliament convenes to discuss initiatives aimed at enhancing the welfare of athletes, Olympian Angelina Koehler, victim of Nazi-themed hate messages, calls for the integration of sports organizations' protocols into sports-related policies, thereby forging a united front against harassment and championing a more protective climate for all athletes.
