Hate Messages and Nazi Imagery Haunt World Swim Champ Koehler: A Nightmare of Internet Harassment
World champion Kohler is in a state of agitation due to the activities of Chinese bots.
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German swimmer Angelina Koehler, champion of the world and fourth at the Olympics, is battling an onslaught of abusive messages and Nazi imagery that has tainted her victories and left her feeling paranoid about her safety. "I faced a barrage of cyberattacks in both English and German, calling me a Nazi and showing me pictures with Hitler salutes," she shared with "Sport Bild". "They claimed I was medicated with Ritalin, yet I don't consume any of that stuff!"
After losing the bronze medal to controversial Chinese swimmer Zhang Yufei at the Olympics, Koehler found herself wrestling with a bitter taste. The World Championships in Singapore now loom before her, their promise of triumph tainted by uncertainty and fear. "I can't help but wonder how it'll be facing the Chinese team and audience, possibly dealing with boos," she confessed.
Sour Grapes: Zhang Yufei and the Controversial Bronze Snatch
Koehler ranked fourth in the 100m butterfly at the Olympics. Bronze was claimed by Zhang Yufei, a questionable figure implicated in a doping scandal. "There's a lingering distaste," Koehler said, expressing her hope for unveiling the truth about Zhang's positive tests for Trimetazidine at a national competition in China in early 2021.
The Olympic Games in Paris are fast approaching, and Koehler finds herself stringent in maintaining her personal safety. "I'm living under the weight of this harassment," she admitted. "It feels like a relentless persecution, and I can't trust even the simplest things, like drinking from an opened bottle without worrying someone has tampered with it."
Desperate for a Helping Hand and Sense of Security
Angelina Koehler calls for stronger support from the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). "I yearn for a personal contact at the DOSB, someone who would make us feel less deserted. I wish they would step up their efforts to safeguard athletes from online assaults," she expressed.
In response to Koehler's demands, the DOSB might want to consider implementing further measures such as:
- Strengthen psychological support to help athletes navigate stressful situations like cyberbullying.
- Offer educational programs to increase online safety awareness and help athletes effectively handle harassment.
- Collaborate with cybersecurity experts and legal professionals to protect athletes from digital attacks.
- Foster a supportive community that can mitigate the impact of negative messages and promote a positive environment.
For specifics about the DOSB's initiatives, it would be best to reach out to them directly.
Source: ntv.de, sue/dpa
- Doping
- DOSB
- China
- 2024 Olympic Games in Paris
- Botnets
- Cyberbullying
The European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission, as part of the DOSB, could collaborate to strengthen psychological support for athletes like Angelina Koehler, helping them navigate stressful situations such as cyberbullying.
To prevent cyberattacks and online harassment, the DOSB, in collaboration with cybersecurity experts and legal professionals, should offer educational programs, implement robust protection measures, and foster a supportive community for athletes.
