Olympic and Those Who Hidden Behind the Keyboard

In 2021, one of the most viral topics of the year would be the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The Olympic Games is held once every four years. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic has been postponed for a year later. Their opening ceremony was on 23^rd July 2021 amid a pandemic that is ravaging the international borders.

             When talking about the games, badminton seems to be the most popular topic for most Malaysians. We won a few badminton medals at the previous Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Dato Lee Chong Wei was the 2nd place in badminton from Beijing 2008 Olympic Games until Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Ms Goh Liu Ying and Mr Chan Peng Soon (mixed-double), Mr Goh V Shem and Mr Tan Wee Kiong (Men’s double) have also won the silver medals in Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Besides these athletics, Mr Aaron Chia Teng Fong and Mr Soh Wooi Yik (Men’s double), and the new badminton star, Mr Lee Zii Jia, all get good results at the current Tokyo 2020 Olympic match. Apart from them, we have other brilliant athletes like Ms Nur Dhabita, Ms Pandelela Rinong and Ms Cheong Jun Hoong at diving; we have Dato Mohd Azizulhasni Awang for cycling, etc.    

             So, what is the relationship between the Olympic Games and those who hide behind the keyboards (the keyboards warrior – the people who make aggressive comments/remarks on the internet with their identity hidden).

             In this era, the internet is part of our daily life; we can easily search for information from the worldwide web. In other words, we can get all those latest Olympic Games updates through watching online or get the latest news to send as a notification to our devices. When Mr Aaron Chia and Mr Soh Woon Yik (Men’s double) are bagging the bronze medal in Tokyo, I heard the cheering from my neighbourhood. The internet has brought us a convenient life. Still, at the same time, it got a shadow side, too – i.e., cyberbullying. 

             Around mid-July, I read that our mixed doubles did not qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic. Since they were the runners-up at the previous Olympic Games, it is quite understandable why many Malaysians would have high expectations. The shuttlers put much effort in that qualifier match, but unfortunately, they did not get in at the end. That was an excellent match, but part of the netizen did not buy it and commented that they had disappointed their high expectations. Well…. I was stunned for a few seconds when I read those comments and just swiped down with a sneer, going thru my other news.

             It is a normal reaction that the people have hope and expectation for our national athletes. After all, we were hoping that these athletes could win us a gold medal in the Olympic Games. As such, the loss of the match has created a big disappointment with the high anticipation. The same goes for the Men single Badminton Match, whereby Mr Lee Zii Jia lost his game to Mr Chen Long. Zii Jia first reaction is to apologize to the nations. He knew that he has disappointed his supporters. But we all know that when there is a game, there is a winner and a loser. The winning process facilitates good competitive spirit and pressure for our athletes to gain more experience facing their next competition. Furthermore, let us not forget that this is Lee Zii Jia’s first Olympic Games. Generally, it is not easy for someone to win in the first Olympic games.  

             When I read through the comments, I felt disgusted with it. Some of the words are harsh. The netizens seem to hold much hope and expectation from our national athletes, so the sad news triggers them to leave a very harsh comment to the athlete.  From my perspective, I believe that our athletes can sense the nations’ hope and expectations, and they all have tried their very best to fulfil our hopes and their own career goal. However, as netizens, we do not know what pressure they face when they are in the competition field. Watching through the screen, how are we supposed to understand what kind of stress our athletes are experiencing? It could be physically and psychologically; it could also be the environment (e.g., luck? a world record opponent?). We do not know as we are not there, and we are not the ones in the match. 

             It is normal to feel disappointed when our superstar athletes lost the match because we anticipated winning. However, our disappointment shouldn’t be part of their pressure. On the contrary, we should encourage them more, let them take a good rest and regain their strength, to face the next upcoming match. After all, they do have the chance to get that medal before they retire from the sports. Worse come to worst, even if they retired without a gold medal in the Olympic Games, they could still share their valuable experiences with the next generation to create better ways to pursue the gold medal for Malaysia.  So, as a supporter, why can’t we have more compassion and kindness?

            Social media is overgrowing in this past decade. It is quite common to see the keyboard warriors commenting on the post without first-hand clarifying the truth. When others try to inform them of their negative comments, these keyboard warriors used the right of freedom of speech to justify their actions. Then the uproar will become another viral sensation. In the end, the comment section of any social media platform will be flooded with hate speech and negative vibes. Sometimes people are ignorant of the power of strong negative language can bring, by saying “It is just a sentence.”, “Why do you have to overthink about it?” The keyboard warriors can stay out of the situation because they are nothing related to them. If this is in their mind, the negative and the hate will constantly increase, and any post will be a good breeding ground for them to leave negative comments. Social media is nothing but a public toilet for them to vent out their negative emotions, for they can’t speak out properly in the real-world context.

             As a keyboard warrior, you probably don’t mean it, but that doesn’t mean the person who reads it will know your intention behind it.

             Suicidal cases that are caused by cyberbullying is increasing in these past few years; the victims consist of artists, influencers, and regular citizens. Of course, not every one of them will make that decision; some of them go through it and survive. But not everyone can do it; we will never know what they are feel when they read those comments. One might be argued that these people can choose not to read it, and nothing will happen. I would have the same suggestion that one has the choice to write or not to write it. Then, the person will never have to see these harsh words. 

             Cyberbullying is a time bomb. It is alive in this social media space. Everyone can see but choose to ignore or enter the fray to cause the explosion itself. The environment might cause this reaction as they are just trying to protect themselves from getting hurt from the bomb, but this is to disguise to deceive themselves and others. When it explodes, it will cause a ripple of fear and anxiety. However, eventually, netizens will get used to it and move on as nothing has ever happened. And we will go back to as before, repeating the cycle and waiting for the next time bomb to explode.  

             So, for those who feel disappointed in our national athletes and are hiding behind the keyboard, do remember, you aren’t the only one who hold high expectations of them. They have high expectations of themselves and the people supporting them. Before you write down those despair, satire, and unkind comments, please put yourself into their shoes and imagine the words you typed is for yourself. The athletes are already facing lots of pressure, and they do not need your harsh comments. Do not throw your emotional garbage at others.

Author: Salted Fish Aunty           Stephen Chow once mentioned that “If a person has no dreams, what is the difference between him and a salted fish.”  Well, I have too many of dreams yet unable to accomplish any of them, I guess I am “a salted fish” instead.  I like to draw and paint and like to write a novel as well, I am a Jack of all trades, but master of none. But most of the time, I will be lazing in the room, scrolling thru social media or choose what anime to watch next. I am a full-fledged otaku and looks like an airhead, if I am allowed to do what I want, I would gladly do so.