The Dark Side of Women's Sports: Abuse, Stalking, and Death Threats

Female athletes are constantly scrutinized for their appearance, with critics targeting everything from their hairstyles to their body shape. This relentless criticism can have a devastating impact on their mental health and performance. Despite their impressive achievements, many sportswomen are subjected to unsavory comments and negativity, both online and offline. Georgia Evans, a Welsh rugby player, was recently targeted for wearing bows in her hair during a match, with critics calling her appearance 'silly' and 'childish.' Evans decided to speak out against the abuse, stating that 'a rugby player is no longer defined by your gender or what you look like.' Her response sparked a wave of support from fans and fellow athletes, with many condemning the abuse and praising Evans for her courage. However, the incident highlights the darker side of women's sports, where athletes are frequently targeted with hate speech, stalking, and even death threats. A survey by Women In Sport found that the number of girls who dream of becoming professional athletes has fallen to its lowest level since 2020, with many citing fear of judgment and criticism as a major deterrent. Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli has seen firsthand the impact of social media on young athletes, stating that 'it's already bad, but if it keeps going, I'm not sure the next generation will be able to survive that many comments and judgment constantly.' The issue is not limited to individual athletes; entire teams have been targeted with racist and sexist abuse. England's Jess Carter was forced to step back from social media due to a barrage of racist abuse during the European Championship. The Online Safety Act 2023 has imposed strict duties on social media companies to combat online abuse, but many argue that the measures do not go far enough. Ofcom has recommended a series of measures to tackle online abuse, including prompts to reconsider harmful messages and stopping payments for posts promoting misogynistic abuse. Meta has also introduced tools to help protect users from online abuse, including filters for offensive comments and controls to limit who can comment or send messages. For some athletes, like Charley Hull, online hate has become a normal part of their lives. Hull has learned to ignore the criticism and focus on her game, stating that 'I don't really care what people think of me.' However, for many others, the constant barrage of abuse takes a significant toll on their mental health and wellbeing. As the momentum behind women's sports continues to grow, it is essential that we shift the focus from how athletes look or behave to what they achieve. As Evans concludes, 'it's just important to know, we stand together as female athletes, and we're not going to tolerate or put up with people saying personal things or people directly commenting on people's appearances, livelihood, how they go about themselves.'