• World Athletics reacts to spate of online abuse at recent events
• AI technology can identify and filter out inappropriate content

World Athletics has offered 25 athletes year-round AI protection on their social media platforms after they were targeted by cyber bullies during major recent events.

World Athletics unveiled findings of a four-year report analysing online abuse in the sport using Signify Group’s Threat Matrix service. The study monitored online activity during the Olympics in 2021 and 2024, and the 2022 and 2023 world athletics championships.