During the mixed 2000m relay semifinal at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, American short track skater Corinne Stoddard collided with South Korean athlete Kim Gilli, leading to significant backlash against Stoddard on social media. The incident occurred as Stoddard was trying to make a move toward the front of the pack but lost her balance and fell, causing a crash that left both skaters on the ice. Despite attempts to continue the race, South Korea's team was unable to advance to the finals, finishing in sixth place. The Korean coaching staff protested the decision but their appeals were rejected.

In the aftermath, Stoddard faced an avalanche of hateful comments on her Instagram, both in Korean and English, with messages demanding apologies and mocking her abilities as a skater. This reaction is reminiscent of events from the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, where South Korean skater Choi Min-jeong was disqualified after a controversial call, leading to a similar wave of criticism directed at the Canadian skater who benefited from the ruling. Such incidents highlight the fierce rivalry and sometimes toxic fan culture that can escalate following highly publicized events in competitive sports, particularly when national pride is at stake.

The pattern of athletes facing backlash on social media after contentious race decisions may dissuade some competitors from engaging with fans online, as the environment can become overwhelmingly hostile. Stoddard's choice to limit comments suggests an awareness of the potential mental health impacts of such harassment, reflecting a growing concern about the well-being of athletes in the face of digital age social pressures.