Georgia Hunter Bell, Britain’s Olympic 1500m bronze medallist, has revealed she no longer goes online before races due to the negative side of social media. She highlighted the harmful impact of online abuse, particularly after fellow athlete Eilish McColgan faced body-shaming comments suggesting she looked unhealthy.
The 31-year-old’s rise to success was one of the most inspiring stories of 2024. Transitioning from a full-time cybersecurity job to an Olympic podium finish, she set a new British 1500m record with a time of 3 minutes 52.61 seconds. However, with her achievements came increased public scrutiny and online negativity.
Discussing the challenges of social media, she admitted it could be a harsh environment. “I’ve had to develop a thick skin quite quickly,” she explained. While many people offer support, the negative comments about her appearance and performance can be difficult to ignore. Direct messages containing personal attacks add to the emotional toll, making it harder to focus on competing.
She acknowledged that similar experiences have affected other athletes and emphasized the need for stronger measures against online harassment. When asked about whether athletics should implement protective tools, such as the AI threat matrix used in women’s tennis, she supported the idea, stating that the abuse “definitely needs to stop.”
To manage the impact, she avoids social media before races. “I might post something in the morning, but then I stay off for the rest of the day,” she said. “You can see one comment, and it just affects you in a strange way.” Her husband encourages her to see negative comments as a sign of success, but she recognizes the emotional weight they carry.
Now fully committed to professional athletics, she is targeting her first gold medal at the upcoming European Indoor Championships. Having initially taken a sabbatical in May to train for the Olympics, she decided to leave her job permanently after her breakthrough in Paris. Her former colleagues were supportive of her decision, even holding watch parties during the Games.
Full-time training has allowed her to build strength and focus on proper recovery, but she acknowledges the new pressure that comes with success. “It’s fun being the underdog, but now I’m facing the challenge of being expected to win,” she said. “The second year after a breakthrough is often the real test not just physically, but mentally.”
She credits her training partner, Keely Hodgkinson, for helping her adjust to the shift in expectations. Hodgkinson, currently sidelined by injury, has provided valuable insight into developing a winning mindset. “She worked with a sports psychologist to transition from seeing herself as a medallist to seeing herself as a winner,” Hunter Bell explained. “That’s something I want to explore this year because at this level, the margins are so small, and you have to think like a gold medallist to make it happen.”
