An Athletic Torment: Nazi Imageries and Abusive Messages Stalk World Champ Koehler
World champion Kohler is being driven mad by Chinese automated systems
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After narrowly missing the bronze medal at the Olympics, Angelina Koehler, the swimming world champion, has found herself at the receiving end of derogatory remarks involving Nazi imagery and name-calling. The incessant online abuses have taken a toll on her mental and physical well-being.
In an interview with "Sport Bild," a visibly shaken Koehler revealed, "I've been targeted by Chinese bots in English and German. They've dubbed me a Nazi and bombarded me with Hitler salute photos. On top of that, they've recklessly claimed that I'm infected with ADHD meds like Ritalin." To clarify, she's not on any medication.
The distressing online encounters have left their mark on Koehler. As she gears up for the World Championships in Singapore, she grapples with apprehension about competing against the Chinese team and performing before a Chinese audience, fearing possible boos.
"Foul Play" - Koehler Rues as Chinese Doping Cheat Snags Her Olympic Bronze
At the Olympics, Koehler finished fourth in the 100m butterfly. The contentious Chinese swimmer, Zhang Yufei, bagged the bronze, and Koehler expressed a sour aftertaste.
Zhang Yufei is on ARD's list of 23 swimmers who tested positive for Trimetazidine, a heart medication, at an early 2021 national competition in China. However, they weren't suspended. The evidence has been verified through multiple sources and centered around an unpublished Chinada report.
Koehler advocated for transparency, stating, "She's earned her medal but it's tainted. Innocent until proven guilty, sure. But the aftertaste lingers, and I hope the truth comes to light soon."
Koehler's Demand: Help from the DOSB
At the upcoming Paris Games, Koehler shared her fear of being alone due to the abusive messages still rolling in, albeit fewer in number. Her behavior has undergone a significant change.
"I live under constant vigilance due to these attacks," she said. "It's like living with a paranoia. I still won't drink from an open bottle. I have to take special care to keep it secure."
Apart from AI filtering out hateful comments and shielding athletes from virtual harassment, Koehler wishes for more assistance from the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). "I need the DOSB to provide a support system for athletes. I shouldn't feel deserted," she expressed.
Source: ntv.de, sue/dpa
- Doping
- DOSB
- China
- Olympic Games 2024 in Paris
- Botnets
DOSB Can Offer:
- Mental Health Counseling: The DOSB can offer counseling services to help athletes cope with the psychological trauma of harassment.
- Social Media Guidance: Providing guidance on managing social media can help athletes handle online bullying effectively.
- Legal Aid: If the hate messages are illegal, the DOSB can offer legal support and help athletes report such incidents.
- Security Measures: If necessary, the DOSB can ensure athlete safety by collaborating with local authorities or security services.
- PR Support: The DOSB can help athletes craft responses that present a positive image and protect their reputation.
- Community Support: Connecting athletes to others who've experienced similar circumstances fosters a sense of solidarity.
- Safety and Digital Literacy Education: The DOSB can provide resources on internet safety, digital literacy, and hate speech recognition to equip athletes for future encounters.
The European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission should collaborate to address the issue of online harassment towards athletes, as seen in Koehler's case. Legislation needs to be enacted to enforce stricter penalties for the use of botnets to disseminate hateful comments and Nazi imagery, as these have detrimental mental and physical effects on athletes.
In the context of the upcoming Olympic Games 2024 in Paris, the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) should provide comprehensive support to athletes. This includes mental health counseling, social media guidance, legal aid, security measures, PR support, community support, and digital literacy education to equip athletes for future encounters with online abuse.
