As the global sporting community marks the inaugural United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) Day on 7 July, the International Skating Union (ISU) is reaffirming its commitment to protecting athletes beyond the field of play and into the digital world. 

In an era where athletes are more visible than ever, online abuse has emerged as one of the fastest-growing challenges in sport. With Safeguarding as a key pillar of its Vision 2030 strategy, the ISU recognizes that athlete wellbeing extends beyond physical and mental health, making digital safety an increasingly important area of focus. By supporting United Against Online Abuse Day, the ISU joins sporting organisations around the world in sending a clear message: online abuse has no place in sport.

ISU President Jae Youl Kim reaffirms strong support for this initiative: “Online abuse has no place in sport. The ISU is proud to stand with the FIA and the wider sporting community in creating a safer digital environment for athletes. Our commitment is long-standing and concrete. Protecting athletes does not stop at the ice rink. As their visibility grows, so does their exposure online, and it is our responsibility to ensure they are protected in the digital space as much as on the field of play.”

ISU President Jae Youl Kim opening the Athletes' Panel at the 60th Ordinary ISU Congress in Tenerife, Spain, June 2026.  © ISU

Taking Concrete Action Against Online Abuse

Alongside education initiatives and mental health support, the ISU has introduced practical measures to help skaters navigate the digital landscape safely, allowing them to be connected without the fear of harassment or intimidation. 

Among these initiatives is an AI-powered cyber safety programme that monitors the public social media channels of skaters who choose to register for the service. The system detects harmful and abusive content in real time, enabling timely moderation and other support measures that help reduce athletes' exposure to online abuse, particularly during major ISU events.

Athletes Share Their Digital Reality at ISU Congress 

The importance of this work was brought into sharp focus at the recent 60th Ordinary ISU Congress in Tenerife, held in June, where a panel of athletes from across the skating disciplines took to the stage to share their personal experiences and challenges with social media. Addressing delegates from around the world, they spoke openly about the growing impact of online platforms on elite sport and why digital wellbeing has become an increasingly important pillar of athlete welfare.

The panel brought together high-profile Olympian skaters representing the full spectrum of ISU disciplines: Evan Bates (retired Figure Skating Ice Dance athlete and current Chair of the ISU Athletes' Committee), Ivanie Blondin (Speed Skating and Short Track), Olivia Smart (Figure Skating Ice Dance), Kevin Aymoz (Figure Skating), and Freek van der Wart (retired Short Track athlete and sports administrator at the Dutch Skating Federation). Together, they shared powerful personal insights into both the opportunities and challenges of maintaining an online presence as elite athletes.

The Athletes' Panel about Safeguarding and Digital Welfare at the 60th Ordinary ISU Congress in Tenerife, Spain, June 2026. From left to right: Martyn Hindley, ISU Head of Corporate Communications and Public Relations, Freek van der Wart, Kevin Aymoz, Olivia Smart, Evan Bates and Ivanie Blondin  © ISU

• Evan Bates described social media as an essential platform for athletes to tell their own stories and engage directly with fans, while stressing the importance of educating young skaters about both its opportunities and its risks.

"Social media is such a powerful tool when used correctly," Bates said. "The younger generation wants to hear the backstory, and social media is our way of telling our own story. Educating young skaters on both the opportunities and the pitfalls is really important."

Evan Bates talking about Safeguarding and Digital Welfare during the Athletes' Panel at the 60th Ordinary ISU Congress in Tenerife, Spain, June 2026.  © ISU

• Olivia Smart explained how maintaining an online presence has become an integral part of an athlete's professional career, helping skaters connect with supporters, attract sponsors and prepare for life after competition.

"If you are not on social media, it's not really an option anymore. That's how you get brand sponsors, that's how you get noticed. It's the current generations version of a CV and our online identity out of our sports careers. So, if we can help navigate the future athletes in our sports to use social media to their advantage while also learning of the downfalls that could follow, we could save a lot of upset and preserve future careers.” 

Olivia Smart talking about Safeguarding and Digital Welfare during the Athletes' Panel at the 60th Ordinary ISU Congress in Tenerife, Spain, June 2026. © ISU

• Ivanie Blondin recalled deliberately handing her phone to a friend during the Olympic Winter Games so she could focus entirely on competition and avoid the distraction of negative comments. 

"No matter how tough your skin is, if you are constantly told one thing by a certain group of people, it's going to affect you eventually." 

Ivanie Blondin talking about Safeguarding and Digital Welfare during the Athletes' Panel at the 60th Ordinary ISU Congress in Tenerife, Spain, June 2026.  © ISU

• Kevin Aymoz shared the deeply personal impact of receiving homophobic abuse and death threats online.

"The only thing I want to do is skate and represent my country. I never signed up to receive death threats."

Kevin Aymoz participating to the Athletes' Panel at the 60th Ordinary ISU Congress in Tenerife, Spain, June 2026.  © ISU

• Drawing on his experience as both a recently retired athlete and sports administrator with the Dutch Skating Federation, Freek Van Der Wart emphasised the role that ISU Members play in creating safer environments for athletes.

"Everybody in this room can help the athletes. We all have a job to help them through the negative impact." 

 Freek van der Wart talking about Safeguarding and Digital Welfare during the Athletes' Panel at the 60th Ordinary ISU Congress in Tenerife, Spain, June 2026. © ISU

Building a Safer Digital Future for Skaters

While each athlete's experience was unique, the discussion highlighted a shared reality: social media has become an indispensable part of elite sport, offering unprecedented opportunities for athletes to engage with fans, grow their personal brands and inspire new audiences. At the same time, digital presence comes with increasing levels of online abuse that require coordinated action across the sporting community. 

The discussion reinforced the importance of equipping skaters with the skills, tools and support to manage media interactions, protect their privacy and respond to online abuse.

Concluding the discussion, Bates encouraged ISU Members to continue investing in digital wellbeing as an integral part of athlete welfare: "When we talk about athlete welfare, digital health is now a massive part of that. We can harness the good that comes with social media while working together to minimize the harm."