Haters, Leave Olympic Champion Gabby Douglas The F Alone

"It was hurtful," she told reporters about the barrage of criticism she's received on social media.
Gabby Douglas: A f**king champ who has zero time for any online hate that gets thrown her way.
Gabby Douglas: A f**king champ who has zero time for any online hate that gets thrown her way.
Sean M. Haffey via Getty Images

The Olympics are a time to celebrate beautiful team spirit, unbelievable athletic prowess and a non-xenophobic reason to chant “USA! USA!” But, of course, we can’t have nice things, so some people have taken it upon themselves to shame 3-time Olympic gold medalist and all-around badass Gabby Douglas on the internet.

After Douglas completed the final routine of her Olympic career on Sunday, ESPN reported that she choked back tears when asked about the barrage of criticism she’s received back home.

“I tried to stay off the internet because there’s just so much negativity,” Douglas reportedly said. “Either it was about my hair or my hand not over my heart [on the medal podium] or I look depressed. ... It was hurtful. It was hurtful. It was. It’s been kind of a lot to deal with.”

To anyone who has the urge to spew hatred at a 20-year-old Olympic champion on social media, take this chance to think about a) why you feel the need to criticize her, and b) the impact said abuse has on a real, flesh-and-blood human being.

To review, since the Rio Olympics began on August 5...

People got angry that Douglas stood at attention instead of putting her hand on her heart during the medal ceremony for the women’s gymnastics team all-around gold.

People got angry about her hair.

People got angry about her facial expressions.

The subtext being: This young, black, female athlete did not behave and/or look in the way I, a random individual, think she should have in the midst of a competition I certainly do not have the skills to enter. Therefore, I must comment on it in a totally demeaning way.

Gabby Douglas is one of three U.S. gymnasts in Olympic history to win three gold medals. She is the first African-American woman to win the individual all-around Olympic gold. She has written two books. She’s so damn inspiring that she has her very own Barbie doll. And she has done all of this before she is old enough to legally drink.

Can we let an elite athlete who just left her teen years live?

“Ghostbusters” star and Olympics superfan Leslie Jones ― who sadly is no stranger to racist, sexist online bile ― jumped to Douglas’ defense with #LOVE4GABBYUSA to encourage love for Douglas online:

And people have responded in kind, celebrating Douglas’ achievements, athletic skills and fortitude in the face of online hatred:

Gabby Douglas is exactly what an American champion looks like, and we should be damn proud. #FlyingSquirrel forever.

Dear Twitter trolls: You will never ever be able to do this.
Dear Twitter trolls: You will never ever be able to do this.
Laurence Griffiths via Getty Images

For more Olympics coverage:

Before You Go

When they were overjoyed after winning the team gold medal.

The Final Five Love Each Other So Much

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