Swimming Champ Angelina Koehler Endures Nazi Imagery and Slander from Chinese Bots, Feels Unprotected
World-class player Kohler is in a state of agitation due to the relentless activity of Chinese bots.
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German swimming world champion Angelina Koehler has been plagued by relentless Nazi imagery and slander from Chinese bots, leaving her paranoid and questioning her safety at upcoming competitions.
Koehler, 24, expressed her bitterness over finishing fourth at the Olympics and bronze going to Chinese swimmer Zhang Yufei. She conveyed her sentiments to "Sport Bild," stating, "I've been targeted by Chinese bots in English and German. I was called a Nazi, and sent images with Hitler salutes."
Koehler clarified, "Being diagnosed with ADHD, I was labeled as pumped full of medication like Ritalin, but I don't take any medication!" This hateful barrage leaves its emotional scars. The swimmer admitted, "It's altered my outlook on upcoming events like the World Championships in Singapore. I worry about facing the Chinese team. Will I be booed by the Chinese audience?"
Olympian's Tearful Rant After China's Doping Cheat Takes Koehler's Bronze
Koehler finished fourth in the 100m butterfly at the Olympics. Bronze was awarded to the controversial Chinese swimmer Zhang Yufei, who is on a list of 23 swimmers that tested positive for the heart medication Trimetazidine at a national competition in China in early 2021 but were not suspended. However, due to the presumption of innocence, Koehler hoped for further investigation.
Demands for Stronger Support from DOSB
The Paris Games left Koehler fearful of being alone. Although the hateful messages have lessened, she still receives occasional ones. "I've had to modify my daily routine due to this. It feels like I'm being stalked," she admitted. Plus, she remains vigilant about her drinks, never drinking from a bottle that's already been opened, always confirming its safety.
Koehler desires more backing from the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). "I wish the DOSB would offer a dedicated contact person for athletes, so we don't feel abandoned," she expressed.
[Sources: ntv.de, sue/dpa]
- Doping
- DOSB
- China
- Online Harassment
- Botnets
Enrichment Insights:
Online harassment of athletes, like Koehler, can escalate to the use of botnets for sending a large volume of abusive messages. This can deeply impact athletes' emotional well-being. Measures taken to protect athletes include monitoring and reporting tools, robust cybersecurity measures, education and awareness, legal actions, and support services such as counseling and mental health resources. General measures mentioned above are commonly used to protect athletes from online harassment. In Koehler's case, it would be advisable to investigate sources directly related to her or her team for specific details on how Chinese botnets have affected her.
- The European Parliament, along with the Commission and the Council, should consider enacting stricter regulations to combat online harassment and protect athletes from cyberbullying, as illustrated by the case of German swimming champion Angelina Koehler.
- In light of the significant impact online harassment can have on athletes' mental health and well-being, it is essential for organizations such as the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) to provide dedicated support and a contact person for athletes, ensuring they feel less abandoned and better protected during crucial competitions.
