British athlete Eilish McColgan confronts online body-shaming, calling out critics while highlighting the impact of such abuse on athletes.
If being a champion was not challenging enough, British Commonwealth 10,000m gold medallist Eilish McColgan now faces another battle—online body-shaming.
The Scottish athlete, who is preparing for her first-ever London Marathon next month, has been targeted with harsh and baseless criticism over her physique.
A recent social media video posted by McColgan, showing her running on a treadmill, sparked a wave of cruel comments questioning whether she had an eating disorder.
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The 33-year-old long-distance star did not hold back in her response, calling out the ignorance behind such remarks.
“Some people have no comprehension of how much you have to fuel your body to do this type of training. Bunch of clowns,” McColgan wrote in a follow-up post as per BBC.
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Her mother and coach, Liz McColgan—herself a former world champion and Olympic silver medallist—quickly stepped in to defend her daughter and condemn the toxic culture of body-shaming.
“Stop the jealousy and abuse of women athletes online by posting ridiculous and stupid comments,” she urged.
Liz McColgan expressed concern not just for Eilish but for younger athletes who may not be as resilient when faced with similar abuse.
“My concern as a parent is not for Eilish as she is of a strong enough character to deal with these people. My concern is for other kids, athletes that are not so strong of character, to deal with demeaning and abusive comments on their appearance,” she said.
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This is not the first time Eilish McColgan has spoken out against body-shaming. Back in 2019, she responded to similar criticism with a straightforward message: “Go body-shame elsewhere.”
However, the issue persists, highlighting the damaging effects of online commentary on athletes’ mental health.
British 1500m champion Neil Gourley also weighed in on the controversy, condemning the “horrible behaviour” directed at McColgan and applauding her for taking a stand.
“I’ve been fortunate enough in my career to not receive a whole lot of that side of things. There is a misogynistic element to it and it really is an embarrassing thing to have to look at,” Gourley told BBC Scotland.
Athletes, particularly women, often face scrutiny over their appearances rather than being recognized solely for their performances.
While male athletes rarely receive the same level of public criticism about their bodies, female athletes are frequently subjected to unwarranted commentary, ranging from their weight to their muscular build.
Eilish McColgan’s case is just one example of a much larger issue. Social media has provided a platform for fans to engage with athletes, but it has also opened the floodgates for unsolicited opinions and body-shaming.
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Experts have warned about the damaging impact such comments can have, especially on young, impressionable athletes who may struggle with self-esteem and body image.