Olympic gymnast is body shamed, Twitter fights back
A Mexican gymnast who just competed at the Rio Olympics has been targeted by cruel body shaming comments -- but fortunately they were soon overshadowed by inspirational and positive messages.
Alexa Moreno, 22, competed in the uneven bars, floor exercise, beam and vault discipline at the artistic gymnastics qualifications.
She finished 31st, an excellent result for a discipline in which Mexico is largely unrepresented.
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However, the usual suspects took the chance to body shame her on Twitter:
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“Alexa Moreno, another example of pseudo athletes sent by the CONADE [Mexico's National Commission for Physical Culture and Sport] just to fulfill the quota.”
“Exclusive pictures of Alexa Moreno at the end of her gymnastic routine.” (this tweet was later deleted)
"Alexa Moreno has the body of two gymnasts, a diet before going to Rio could have been good" (this tweet was also deleted).
However, the majority of people then took to Twitter to praise the athlete and express their admiration for her:
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"An athlete like Alexa Moreno changed my life when I was a little girl and believed that you had to be very skinny to be a gymnast."
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"Congratulations to Alexa Moreno, Mexican athlete."
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"Alexa Moreno is a great woman."
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In an interview with Americas Now on CCTV channel, Alexa Moreno said: "Gymnastics is a sport that requires you to have it all: flexibility, coordination, strength, velocity.
"Gymnastics is a sport for brave people. You need to be dedicated, have a strong will, and lots of persistency. I won’t stop until I have reached my goals."
Topics Olympics
