Online hatred against athletes: “it can go as far as death threats, it’s limitless.”

Dorian Martinez dénonce des menaces liées notamment aux paris sportifs dans le milieu du tennis. Devenir Meilleur

Sports psychologist and mental trainer, Montpellier Dorian Martinez reports very serious hateful messages on networks in the tennis world. He believes that the public authorities have not sufficiently understood the problem.

You have accompanied athletes like Kevin Mayer ?

With Kevin it was on a very specific request for a lifting of the blockage. I worked with Arthur Cazaux when he was 14-15 years old. It was about well-being and the basics of mental preparation, a bit like Djokovic was able to do very young. In France, athletes tend to only address the issue when they are professionals or at a very high level even though these are skills to be worked on very early on with the ecosystem, the coach and parents to avoid mistakes.

In France we have less of this culture ?

We're starting to catch up. I had a click during Covid. Many coaches, who had time, started calling me to ask for advice. I did it via video and from there came my idea of ​​creating a training organization aimed at coaches and high-level athletes. Our training, "optimize your mental preparation", is recognized by France Compétences and Qualiopi and issues a certificate. Coaches need to understand the basics of how the brain works and psychology, otherwise they feel stripped of this skill.

Is online hate on social media a concern ?

I accompany a tennis player who is around 1000th place in the world in ITF tournaments. Whether he loses or wins, he is insulted and targeted. These are threats like 'we're going to kill your sister, rape your mother', there are no limits! These are people who bet big and try to # 39;approach the players. At the beginning we ask them to just lose a game. We offer them money at the start but then we use the threat. There is a real scandal: how is it possible that a sports ministry or a federation allows private groups to organize bets on the results of players without compensation for the latter. The players do not receive a cent from the bets but if one of them gives in to temptation, they are banned for life. I've seen players tell me 'if I don't win this match, I'll run out of the hotel.' We see the tennis showcase on TV but many players are scraping by and in total distress.

Also read: Criticism, insults, threats… faced with online hatred, how high-level athletes try to protect themselves

How to protect yourself ?

Take some distance. If possible, do not respond and no longer go on the networks because it is a scourge for concentration. It’s not simple because we’re dealing with generations who were born with it. Most coaches and parents come to see us for performance but we invite them to approach kindness. How you can achieve performance by respecting your body and being clear in your head.

You blame sporting power for remaining inactive ?

Completely. With my experience in the fight against doping, that doesn't surprise me. The ministries are there to settle down and resettle. There is a phenomenal absence of consideration on these subjects. Unfortunately, things will change if tomorrow a renowned sportsman commits suicide by leaving a note saying "my family was threatened with death". It's so linked to sports betting that there are simple remedies: if you give them a small percentage of the bets, the athletes won't have it anymore. #39;excuse cheating and it would be ethical. I suggested it via a video two years ago, I got no response.

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