The German athletics federation DLV is looking into filing criminal complaints in connection with online racist abuse of new national 100 metres record holder Owen Ansah.
Ansah was abused after becoming the first German to dip below 10 seconds by winning the national title in 9.99 seconds on Saturday.
"The DLV stands for athletics, stands for diversity. The national team is a very clear reflection of our society and we also have a very clear zero-tolerance policy towards racism, hate speech, marginalisation and xenophobia," DLV board member for sport Jörg Bügner said on Sunday.
Bügner said the comments will be scrutinised, "and we will not hesitate to press criminal charges if the wording is inappropriate.
"We will do everything to protect our athletes," he insisted.
Ansah's coach Sebastian Bayer told broadcasters ARD: "It's very worrying what some people get away with on social media. The fact that people are reduced to the colour of their skin or their origin is a huge problem. We are multi-cultural, we are colourful in Germany.
"Society should bear this in mind and not slip too far down this right-wing track."