# Men who say they protect women's sports hurl sex toys at athletes

At a recent women's sports event, male demonstrators who claim to be defending women's sports threw sex toys at female athletes. The incident reveals a stark contradiction between their stated mission and their actions, underscoring the harassment faced by female competitors. It matters because it shows how online rhetoric about protecting women can translate into real-world abuse.

**Importance:** 3/5

## Sources

### Sports
- [The Guardian Sport](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/24/the-men-claiming-to-defend-womens-sports-are-throwing-sex-toys-at-female-athletes) — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 09:00:30 GMT