Japan threatens legal action over harassment of athletes on social media: ‘There is slander and cruel criticism’

The Japan Olympic Committee (JOC) has warned about the defamation and harassment on social media towards athletes during the Olympics, and has threatened to take legal action against the dissemination of suchthreats or insults through these means.

“The encouragement and support of the people helps the athletes but, on the other hand, there are slanders and cruel criticism “which may cause anxiety or fear in athletes,” the COJ said in a statement on Tuesday, also noting that it will consider the necessary legal measures to stop defamatory content.

“Acts that degrade or harass athletes competing representing their country can never be justified.”“like at the Olympics”said Masahito Moriyama, Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, along the same lines on Friday.

“They can do these things because their names and faces don’t appear on social media, which makes it easier for them to criticise” (…) “I want those who support them to mentally support the players instead of hurting them,” added Moriyama.

‘The harsh words of many people have hurt me’

Since the Olympic Games began last week, some Japanese athletes have been the subject of defamatory messages, as is the case of race walker Ayana Yanai and judoka Uta Abe.

“The harsh words of many people have hurt me,” the Japanese race walker told local news agency Kyodo, who decided not to compete in her individual event in order to concentrate on the mixed team event.

“Each athlete is making the most of every moment, and is making adjustments to perform at their best.” under the stress of competing” (…) “Some athletes are forced to make difficult decisions after assessing their condition before competition,” the JOC said in reference to messages on social media that called Yanai “selfish,” among other things.

Judoka Uta Abe, the favourite to win gold in her category before the Games and eliminated in the second round, was also widely criticised for breaking down in tears after her second-round loss. round in the 52 kilo category.

These two cases add to the threats received by Francisco Garrigós, the first Spanish medalist of these Games, after his fight against Ryuju Nagayama in the quarter-finals of the -60 kg category by an ippon, which generated controversy and disapproval in the Asian country and which made the Japanese judoka ask for the public lynching of the Spaniard to stop.

EFE