Angry Swimming Champ Koehler, Targeted by Chinese 'Bots' and Nazi Images, Speaks Out
World-class player Kohler is in uproar over the surge of Chinese robots
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Following her fourth place finish at the Olympics, swimming world champ Angelina Koehler can't shake the bitter taste left by the bronze medalist from China. Since then, she's been bombarded with abusive messages, including Nazi imagery that's rocked her world.
The 24-year-old Koehler shared her struggle with "Sport Bild". "I've been hit by Chinese bots in English and German. I've been labeled a Nazi, and I've received photos with Hitler salutes," she said. "Due to my ADHD diagnosis, I've been accused of being pumped full of drugs like Ritalin. But I don't take any medication!"
Koehler continued, "This has left its mark on me. I'm approaching future competitions like the World Championships in Singapore with a different feeling. I don't know what it'll be like to face the Chinese team. How will it be with a Chinese audience? Will I be booed?"
"Shit" - World Champ Koehler's Olympian Bronze Stolen by Doping Offender Zhang
Koehler finished fourth in the 100m butterfly at the Olympics. The bronze went to the questionable Chinese swimmer Zhang Yufei, a contestant that Koehler later referred to as leaving a "bitter taste."
Backstory: Zhang Yufei made the list of 23 swimmers published by ARD, who tested positive for the heart medication Trimetazidine at a national competition in China early 2021. The core of the investigation is an unpublished report by the Chinese anti-doping agency Chinada, which has been verified by ARD through several sources.
Koehler asked for clarification, stating, "She has the medal now and has earned it. The presumption of innocence applies. But it leaves a bitter taste, and I hope something comes of it."
Koehler's Cry for DOSB Assistance
At the Paris Games, Koehler confessed she's fearful to be alone. Despite a decrease in hate messages, Koehler still encounters some. Her life has changed.
"I'm restricted by the consequences. It's like living in paranoia. I'm still careful about drinking from any opened bottle. I have to be extra careful with my bottle to make sure no one puts anything in it," she said.
In addition to AI technology that monitors messages and protects athletes from hate, Koehler desires more assistance from the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). "I'd like the DOSB to provide a contact person for athletes. So they don't feel deserted," she said.
Source: ntv.de, sue/dpa
- Doping
- DOSB
- China
- Olympic Games 2024 in Paris
- Botnets
Insights:
The current search results do not provide specific information regarding an active doping investigation into Chinese swimmer Zhang Yufei. However, there have been widespread discussions about doping issues within Chinese sports, including swimming, but these do not specifically focus on Zhang Yufei.
Regarding the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) and its support for athletes struggling with hate messages and paranoia, such as Angelina Koehler, there is no specific information in the search results. The DOSB generally supports German athletes, but details about specific initiatives aimed at helping athletes dealing with hate messages or doping-related paranoia are not provided in the existing search results.
In essence, the DOSB would likely have systems in place to aid athletes facing such challenges, but specific details about these initiatives or their application to Angelina Koehler are not mentioned in the available search results.
- The European Parliament must call for a thorough investigation into the doping allegations surrounding Chinese swimmer Zhang Yufei, considering her questionable past and the recent findings by ARD.
- In light of the numerous hate messages and paranoia experienced by athletes, especially Angelina Koehler, the Council, the Commission, and the European Parliament should consider implementing measures to provide a dedicated contact person from the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) to support athletes facing such challenges. Additionally, the introduction of advanced AI technology to monitor and protect athletes from hate messages should be a priority in the general-news and crime-and-justice sectors.
