The Role of Sports in Preventing Bullying: Insights from Elite Athletes

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Bullying, now better known as bullying, is a problem that has always been in society, but For years it has remained hidden. Today there are many initiatives and research launched to prevent, detect and act in time against this problem thus avoiding its adverse effects.

Los studies They define bullying as a “social problem characterized by intentional aggression that occurs over time, generally in school contexts”When this harassment is done through social networks or similar, it is called cyberbullying.

Bullying can be seen as something that happens to third parties, but the reality is that when it hits you up close it’s not always easy to see. Although it may be hard to believe, great elite sports figures have been victims of this social problem during their childhood: Michael Phelps, Franck Ribéry and Carolina Marín are some of them. On the other side of the coin there are also others like the former professional boxer Jero García who confessed that during his adolescence he had harassed others.

Although in sports activities you can also be a victim of bullying, it is true that they are a optimal tool for its prevention due to the characteristics and values ​​that the sport itself spreads.

What is the role of sport in preventing bullying?

And study from the University of Córdoba concluded that physical activity is key to preventing bullying, but why? The educational, social, recreational and participatory characteristics of sport mean that the relationship between equals can be worked on, he says in an interview. Ester Morillas, teacher of the Bullying and Cyberbullying Prevention and Intervention program.

This same person adds that within sports there are different factors that facilitate the context to be intolerant of violence. The first addresses the emotional sphere through which the self-esteem, resilience, self-control and emotion management. The second focuses on social skills, an issue closely linked to bullying. Finally, education in values ​​such as teamwork, cooperation, respect, camaraderie…

Sports practice also has its consequences on a physiological and mental level since it is active and secretes hormones that allow the victim of bullying to release their frustration and angeranger, sadness, fears and self-distrust, listed from the COVAP Cup. Along with this, it contributes to mental calm, positivity and feeling comfortable with oneself.

The bullying of Michael Phelps, Franck Ribéry and Carolina Marín

These names only represent a small part of the athletes who have been victims of bullying during their infancy and childhood. In more than half of the cases, the physical appearanceespecially overweight and obesity, is the reason why many boys and girls suffer bullying at school, according to a study from the Complutense University of Madrid.

Michael Phelps and Franck Ribéry are positioned in this first group. The former swimmer was a victim of bullying because of the size of his ears and his thin build, while the former French soccer player was bullied because of the scar that takes up a large part of his face. However, the professional badminton player has said on some occasions that they made fun of her, and even insulted her, when she took her trophies to her school.

Being a victim is difficult, but confessing that at some point you were the harasser is also relevant. Jero García admitted in a report that during his adolescence he stole the belongings of some of his classmates and even practiced violence in his neighborhood.

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2024-05-02 12:03:55
#Carolina #Marín #Michael #Phelps #suffered #bullying #sport #saved

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