International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry has told young athletes facing bullying to stand up to their tormentors by firmly telling them to "sod off," and offered reassurance that "it gets better," Al Jazeera reported.
Coventry's remarks, aimed at young people in sport, were presented as direct advice to victims of bullying. The IOC president's comments underline a personal and blunt approach to confronting abusive behaviour, coupled with an assurance that difficult periods can improve.
The intervention comes amid broader public attention to athlete welfare and the pressures faced by young sportspeople. Leaders and organisations across sport have increasingly been asked to address mental health and the impacts of mistreatment, particularly for athletes in formative stages of their careers.
While Coventry's words were succinct, they blend a clear call for self-assertion with a message of hope for those affected. The brief, plainspoken counsel — both to resist abuse and to believe in a better future — was the core of her advice to bullying victims, as reported by Al Jazeera.