Eilish McColgan Faces Body-Shaming Comments on Social Media
Image credits: Jeff Holmes/PA
Eilish McColgan, the current Commonwealth 10,000m champion, has been subjected to body-shaming comments on social media, with some users questioning whether she has an eating disorder. The 34-year-old athlete posted a video of herself running on a treadmill as she prepares for her London Marathon debut, but the comments were flooded with negativity. Her mother and coach, Liz McColgan, has hit back at the comments, saying they are "demeaning and abusive" and highlighting the importance of fueling the body properly for elite athletic performance.
Liz McColgan, an Olympic 10,000m silver medallist, expressed her concern for younger athletes who may not be able to deal with such abusive comments, saying "Stop the jealousy and abuse of women athletes online by posting ridiculous and stupid comments." She emphasized that being an elite runner requires a lower body fat percentage, but this does not mean that the athlete is not eating properly. Eilish McColgan has previously spoken out against body-shaming, saying "Go body-shame elsewhere" in response to comments about her weight in 2019.
Eilish McColgan is training for her first London Marathon, which is set to take place in April, and has described her attempt to lower Paula Radcliffe's British record as "unrealistic" for her debut. However, she believes she could beat Radcliffe's mark over 26.2 miles at some point in the future. The Scot has undergone knee surgery and has broken Radcliffe's 21-year-old British 10k record and improved upon her own British half-marathon record in Berlin. Her mother and coach, Liz McColgan, is confident in her daughter's ability to deal with the negative comments, but is concerned for other athletes who may not be as strong.
The issue of body-shaming in sports is a significant one, with many athletes facing criticism and abuse on social media. It is essential to promote a positive and supportive environment for athletes, encouraging them to focus on their performance and training rather than their physical appearance. The comments made about Eilish McColgan's body shape are a prime example of the kind of abuse that athletes can face, and it is crucial that we work to prevent such behavior and promote a culture of respect and support.
Some of the key statistics and facts about Eilish McColgan's career include:
- Four-time Olympian
- Commonwealth 10,000m champion
- Broke Paula Radcliffe's 21-year-old British 10k record
- Improved upon her own British half-marathon record in Berlin
- Underwent knee surgery in late 2023
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