Top athletes Olivia Dunne and Gabby Thomas are speaking out about ongoing stalking and harassment, exposing a chilling pattern that highlights the deep vulnerabilities female athletes face in public and online.
At a Glance
- Olivia Dunne revealed disturbing incidents of stalking by groups of men at airports across the U.S.
- The harassment involves coordinated efforts, with stalkers accessing private travel details
- Olympic sprinter Gabby Thomas confirmed experiencing similar harassment, calling it systemic
- Dunne has altered her lifestyle, taking online classes and receiving school-provided security
- Experts call for stronger protections against stalking and doxxing of female athletes
A Cry for Help: Dunne’s Ordeal
LSU gymnast and Sports Illustrated cover star Olivia Dunne broke down in a video as she recounted the relentless stalking she has endured. “I fear that I’m being stalked and I don’t know what to do,” she said. Her stalkers appear to be organized, showing up at various airports with astonishing accuracy: “They know time, place, airport, everything!!!” she told reporters.
These encounters aren’t isolated. According to Dunne, men have chased her through TSA lines, demanding autographs and making scenes that frighten other travelers. “It’s insane… and the people around me are scared,” she added. The harassment has forced her into taking online classes for her own safety and prompted LSU to provide security during team travel.
Not Just Dunne: A Widespread Crisis
The situation isn’t unique to Dunne. Olympic medalist Gabby Thomas confirmed that she, too, faces harassment. “Girl!! So sad that because we’re good at what we do, people feel like they should have constant access to us,” she posted, referencing the “travel anxiety” shared by many women in elite sports.
Even tennis star Coco Gauff weighed in, speculating that airport staff may be tipping off stalkers. This speculation underscores a disturbing possibility: female athletes’ privacy may be compromised by insiders or data leaks.
Stalking in the Social Media Age
With over 8 million TikTok followers and 5 million on Instagram, Dunne is a prime target for parasocial obsession. But she draws a clear line between online fame and physical access: “It needs to stop because it’s scary for girls. It’s weird,” she declared.
Retired Olympian Sam Peszek called the behavior “disturbing and cringey,” urging the sports world to treat the issue seriously. There is growing consensus that platforms, athletic institutions, and airport authorities must act to safeguard women in the spotlight.
Demanding Systemic Change
Dunne and Thomas’s testimonies reveal gaps in current safeguards—from airline data privacy to event security protocols. With few clear guidelines on how to report and address stalking, victims are often left to protect themselves.
Experts warn that the legal and technological infrastructure has not kept pace with the risks female public figures face. Until those systems catch up, athletes like Dunne and Thomas are left with courage, awareness—and the hope that speaking out will finally prompt real change.
