British athlete Eilish McColgan is confronting online body-shaming comments as she prepares for her debut at the London Marathon next month. The Commonwealth 10,000m gold medallist has faced cruel criticism regarding her physique, with some questioning whether she has an eating disorder after she posted a video of herself running on a treadmill.
McColgan, who is known for her impressive athleticism, responded firmly, calling out the ignorance behind these comments. She addressed the situation in a follow-up post, saying, “Some people have no comprehension of how much you have to fuel your body to do this type of training. Bunch of clowns.”
Her mother and coach, Liz McColgan, a former world champion and Olympic silver medallist, also came to her defense. Liz condemned the toxic culture of body-shaming, urging people to stop posting harmful comments about women athletes. She expressed concern not just for her daughter, who she believes has the strength to handle such criticism, but for younger athletes who may not be as resilient when facing 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.
This is not the first time McColgan has addressed body-shaming. In 2019, she directly responded to similar criticism with a blunt message: “Go body-shame elsewhere.” Despite her strong stance, the issue persists, highlighting the harmful effects of online commentary on athletes’ mental health.
British 1500m champion Neil Gourley also expressed his support for McColgan, condemning the “horrible behaviour” directed at her and applauding her for taking a stand. He noted, “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’s comments draw attention to the broader issue of how female athletes are disproportionately targeted with body-shaming compared to their male counterparts.
Athletes, particularly women, often find themselves facing scrutiny over their appearance rather than being solely recognized for their athletic performance. Female athletes are regularly subjected to unsolicited commentary on their bodies, whether it’s about their weight or muscular build. Male athletes, on the other hand, rarely experience this level of public criticism about their physique.
McColgan’s case reflects a larger, ongoing problem in the world of sports, where online platforms have allowed fans to engage with athletes, but have also provided a space for negative and harmful opinions. Experts have warned that such comments can have a significant impact on athletes, particularly younger or more vulnerable individuals who may struggle with body image and self-esteem.
Body-shaming is an issue that transcends the sports world, but its effects on athletes whose bodies are their primary tools for success can be especially damaging. In a time when mental health awareness is growing, the pressure and negativity that athletes face online can have long-lasting consequences. McColgan’s stance is an important reminder of the need for greater respect and understanding, not just of athletes but of people in general, in how they treat each other online.”Eilish McColgan Confronts Body-Shaming Critics, Advocates for Respect in Athletics”
