Indian-American figure skater Tara Prasad, who is facing a wave of online harassment, including death threats and hateful messages, is refusing to back down. In a series of Instagram stories, Prasad addressed the toxic comments she had received, offering a fierce and unyielding response to those who sent discriminatory messages her way.
In a now-deleted Instagram story, Prasad, who gave up her US citizenship to represent India, expressed her frustration with the ease at which people can send hate online.
“It’s easy to send death threats, hatred, discriminatory messages. I hope you are proud of yourselves,” she wrote. Prasad’s response not only underscored the personal toll of this harassment but also drew attention to the systemic issue of online abuse targeting athletes, particularly those in niche sports.
Prasad didn’t stop there; her follow-up messages conveyed a powerful sense of resilience. “At least research the challenges of figure skating first before you speak. I chose this path knowing these challenges, and I won’t give up,” she stated.
Beyond addressing the online harassment, Prasad also shared a deeply personal message about why she chose figure skating. “I am doing it because, in life, I will be fully self-sufficient. It’s not an easy REPRESENTATION matters INTERNATIONALLY in sports like figure skating,” she explained.
Born on February 24, 2000, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Tara Prasad’s journey into figure skating began at age seven. She has built a strong reputation in international figure skating, proudly representing India.
Despite being born in the U.S. to an immigrant family from Tamil Nadu, Prasad chose to represent India in women’s singles skating, denouncing her U.S. citizenship.
Her dedication to her country is evident in her recent achievements, including winning silver medals at the 2024 Reykjavik International and 2024 Skate Celje games. She also claimed the Indian national championship title in 2022, 2023, and 2025, solidifying her place as one of India’s top figure skaters.
Prasad has also competed at prestigious events like the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, where she performed in the final segments of both the 2022 and 2023 competitions. Although her 2025 campaign in Seoul ended at 16th place, her participation in such elite competitions speaks to her skill and determination.
