Elite athletes face appalling online abuse. This Games, the Paris Olympics is trying to shield them from it

As the 2024 Paris Olympics approaches, a significant concern has emerged regarding the online abuse that elite athletes often face. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is taking steps to address this issue by implementing an AI algorithm designed to sift through the vast amount of social media content related to the Games. With projections indicating that there will be over half a billion posts about the Olympics, the sheer volume of content is staggering. To put this into perspective, if each post contains an average of ten words, the total amount of text generated would be approximately 638 times longer than the King James Bible. This means that athletes will be under immense scrutiny, and many will be subjected to both praise and harsh criticism during one of the most critical times in their careers. The IOC recognizes that this online abuse poses a serious threat to the mental health of athletes, which can ultimately impact their performance during the Games. Many prominent athletes have voiced their concerns about the prevalence of online harassment. For instance, American tennis player Sloane Stephens revealed that she experienced significant emotional distress following a match due to the negative comments she received online. Similarly, English footballer Jude Bellingham has spoken out about the regular abuse that he and his fellow players endure. In response to this growing issue, the English Football Association has announced plans to take legal action against individuals who engage in online harassment of players. The IOC is committed to protecting athletes from this type of abuse, as they are often more vulnerable to online attacks than the average person. The organization is aware that the mental well-being of athletes is crucial, and they are actively working to create a safer environment for them. The AI algorithm will play a vital role in this effort by monitoring social media posts in over 35 languages and identifying any abusive comments directed at athletes during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. If the AI detects harmful content, a team of human reviewers will assess the situation and determine the appropriate course of action. This could involve reaching out to the affected athlete to offer support, requesting the removal of posts that violate social media policies, or even alerting law enforcement in cases of serious threats. The aim is to intervene before athletes are exposed to harmful comments, allowing them to concentrate on their performance without the added stress of online abuse. The issue of online bullying in sports is not new, and it has been a growing concern in recent years. Athletes are often in the public eye, making them prime targets for cyberbullying. The IOC is taking this matter seriously and is exploring innovative solutions to combat online harassment. The organization is also collaborating with social media platforms to develop better systems for reporting and addressing abusive content. This is a positive step forward, but there is still much work to be done to ensure that athletes feel safe and supported in the digital space. The IOC is dedicated to helping athletes understand the impact of online comments on their mental health and providing them with the necessary resources for support. By fostering a culture of kindness and respect, the IOC aims to create an environment where athletes can thrive without the fear of online bullying.