The Dark Side of Women's Sports: Abuse, Threats, and Online Harassment

Female athletes are subjected to unsavory comments, personal attacks, and online abuse, affecting their mental wellbeing and performance. Despite their successes, they face criticism for their appearance, behavior, and identity. The situation has become so dire that some athletes have received death threats, and others have been stalked. The Online Safety Act 2023 has been implemented, but more needs to be done to combat the level of abuse targeted at female athletes. Social media companies must take stricter measures to protect users from online harassment, and athletes must be allowed to focus on their sport without fear of personal attacks. The focus should shift from how sportswomen look or behave to what they achieve, and athletes must stand together to tolerate no more personal attacks or comments on their appearances.