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Superstar Olivia Dunne has experienced harassment and stalking by men. Other profiles such as Frida Karlsson and Gabrielle Thomas have also been subjected to similar unpleasant episodes. Gabrielle Thomas was harassed during a sports event, and the organizer has promised to investigate the matter. The women express concerns about their safety, and call for action.

The summary was created by an AI service from OpenAI. The content was checked by a journalist before publication.

The summary is created by an AI service from OpenAI. The content is checked by a journalist before publication.

– I feel like I’m being persecuted, and I don’t know what to do.

Olivia Dunne (22) says this in a video published on TikTok.

Dunne, or “Livvy” as she calls herself, is an American influencer who has taken the internet by storm in recent years. The 22-year-old has around 15 million followers on social media.

Now she tells of several unpleasant episodes at airports, where Dunne claims that men followed her.

– They want my autograph and have at least 40 pictures with them that they want me to sign. They run after me, and scream if they don’t get it. People around me get scared. It’s really sick.

– It doesn’t just apply to me

Last year, Dunne, a former gymnast, was the cover girl for Sports Illustrated magazine. The 22-year-old turned gymnast that same year.

Dunne says that it doesn’t just happen when she goes to big events, but also on private vacations with her family.

– I know I’m on the internet all the time posting about my life, but I’m talking about 20-minute layovers, and in the strangest cities, she says.

– It’s crazy, but the worst thing is that it doesn’t just apply to me.

Dunne is not the only one who believes she is being persecuted.

JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP / NTB

Coco Gauff, American tennis player

– This happens to me too. I don’t know how it can happen. My theory is that someone at the airport tips them off, Gauff writes in a comment under a TikTok video posted by Gabrielle Thomas.

Charlie Riedel / AP / NTB

Simone Biles, American gymnast and Olympic champion

– Same here, I’m scared of them. It happens too often. I take pictures, just to be sure, Biles writes under Thomas’ video.

David J. Phillip / AP / NTB

Sunisa Lee, American gymnast and Olympic champion

– This has happened to me several times. It’s very scary, Lee writes to Thomas.

Coco Gauff, American tennis player

– This happens to me too. I don’t know how it can happen. “My theory is that someone at the airport is tipping them,” Gauff wrote in a comment under a TikTok video posted by Gabrielle Thomas.

Simone Biles, American gymnast and Olympic champion

– Same here, I’m scared of them. It happens too often. I’m taking pictures, just to be sure, Biles writes under Thomas’ video.

Sunisa Lee, American gymnast and Olympic champion

– This has happened to me several times. It’s very scary, Lee writes to Thomas.

Swedish skier Frida Karlsson has also experienced being stalked by a fan. A man in his 60s was sentenced to two years probation and a 40,000 Swedish kronor fine earlier this year for unlawful stalking.

The man has appealed the verdict.

– I really reacted when I heard his voice in Stockholm. I was scared then. I had planned to run quietly with a friend, but when he was by my side, I ran to get away from him, Karlsson has said previously.

UNFORTUNATE: Several stars tell of unpleasant experiences.

– Made Gabby lose by harassing her

American Gabrielle Thomas, also known as “Gabby” Thomas, had an unpleasant experience during a Grand Slam Track meet in Philadelphia earlier in June.

On X, the athlete writes that a man followed her while she was signing autographs and taking pictures with fans.

He is also said to have shouted for her, which can also be heard in a video the alleged man himself posted on the platform.

– I made Gabby lose by harassing her, which made me win the sports betting game, the message says.

During a rally: The video shows a man shouting condescending and disruptive things during a Grand Slam Track rally in the United States.

The organizer of the vote has stated that they will investigate the situation.

– So sorry you had to experience this. We are working to identify the person involved and will take necessary action. This type of behavior will not be tolerated, says Michael Johnson, CEO of Grand Slam Track.

Riding on a trip

Thomas also tells about unpleasant experiences at airports.

The athlete won two relay gold medals with the United States at the Paris Olympics and individual gold in the 200 meters.

– They show up either in front of the airport or on the street, which means they have plane tickets and have gone through security and everything.

APPEARING: Like Olivia Dunne, Gabrielle Thomas experiences multiple people following her at airports.

The 28-year-old also says that the people ask her to sign pictures, which she does not know what they are used for.

What scares Thomas is that they have information about when and where she is going to fly.

– They become very aggressive and hostile. When I’m alone, this is really scary, says Thomas.

She tells her story to ask for advice and asks people to stop seeking her out.

– Can’t people respect privacy? I don’t understand it, and I feel very unsafe when I travel. I really don’t know what to do.

This is what characterizes a persecutor

Kenneth Nielsen has worked with stalking issues for over 25 years. He is part of the network behind stalking.no, which provides advice and guidance to people experiencing unwanted stalking.

Nielsen says that there is often a fine line between being an avid fan and being a stalker – especially when dealing with famous people.

– It’s not just about idolization, but about a fixation that often becomes unhealthy. What makes it difficult is that persecution is subjective – it’s about unwanted and troublesome behavior, and it can be demanding to document in a way that holds up in court, he explains to NRK.

EXPERT: Kenneth Nielsen has a lot of experience with stalkers.

Stalking can have major consequences for those affected – especially young women.

– The psychological pressure can be enormous. After the definition of PTSD was adjusted, we see that more people are given this diagnosis as a result of long-term persecution. Many become paranoid – you never know when the persecutor will follow, says Nielsen.

Social media has also changed the landscape dramatically.

– Today you can follow someone from the corner of your sofa. If you’ve posted that you’re on Egon, I know it, says Nielsen.

– Could barely breathe

Tennis player Emma Raducanu also says she has had a terrifying experience with a stalker.

The 22-year-old really broke through when she won the US Open back in 2021. At a recent press conference, she openly recounted hiding behind the umpire’s chair and bursting into tears during a tournament in Dubai last year.

Raducanu saw a man in the stands, who had been following her.

The incident still affects her today.

– I’m obviously on guard when I go out. I try to be careful, because you only realise how big the problem can be when you’re actually in that situation and I’d rather not end up there again, she tells BBC Sport.

REDD: Emma Raducanu is exhausted during her tournament in Dubai last year.

Raducanu further says that she did not understand how she would be able to continue.

– I literally couldn’t see the ball through the tears. I could barely breathe.

Hei!

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