Franziska van Almsick condemns toxic online hate targeting elite athletes
German swimming legend Franziska van Almsick has spoken out against the rising tide of online hate directed at top athletes. At the Ball des Sports in Frankfurt, she highlighted the growing problem of toxic abuse, calling it a wider societal issue with no simple solution.
Van Almsick attended the event as deputy chair of the Stiftung Deutsche Sporthilfe supervisory board. There, she shared her concerns about the increasing hostility faced by public figures, particularly athletes. The abuse, she noted, has become harder to ignore and reflects a broader decline in respectful communication.
Biathlete Franziska Preuß recently faced a wave of hate messages after underperforming at the Olympics. Van Almsick echoed Preuß's frustration, stressing that such attacks take a heavy toll on mental well-being. She warned that the problem extends beyond sports, affecting vulnerable groups like young women, migrants, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
A 2024 NAKOS survey, discussed at an AOK conference in January 2026, revealed that half of 140 self-help organizations reported incidents of threats, racism, and online abuse. While the data did not focus specifically on athletes, it confirmed a general rise in hostility—both online and offline.
Van Almsick's comments underscore the urgency of addressing online abuse in sports and society. The issue remains unresolved, with athletes and public figures continuing to face relentless criticism. Without intervention, the toxic tone risks worsening for those in the spotlight.
