Former world-class swimmer Franziska van Almsick has strongly condemned the escalating online hate directed at German athletes, including during the recent Olympic Winter Games. Speaking at the "Ball des Sports" in Frankfurt am Main, van Almsick, who also serves as deputy chairwoman of the German Sports Aid Foundation, described the situation as beyond words, advising athletes to "close their eyes and ears." She acknowledged the difficulty of ignoring such comments, noting that while changing the trend might be impossible, athletes must find ways to cope, a sentiment echoed by her decision to ban her own son from social media. Biathlete Franziska Preuß, who recently concluded her career, shared her harrowing experience with online harassment after her final Olympic race, highlighting the "psychological terror" and the constant admonishment to avoid reading negative comments. Other biathletes, like Vanessa Voigt, have also reported similar experiences, underscoring a broader societal issue where public figures feel hesitant to speak due to the fear of negative reactions, even though constructive criticism is acceptable if communicated appropriately.