Eilish McColgan, the renowned British Commonwealth 10,000m champion, has recently become the center of a troubling online discourse concerning body image. In a heartfelt response to derogatory comments made on social media, McColgan and her mother Liz have labeled such behavior as 'demeaning and abusive'.

Liz McColgan, who is also Eilish's coach and a former Olympic 10,000m silver medallist, expressed her concerns regarding the impact of such comments, not just on Eilish, but on younger athletes who may be more vulnerable. "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 stated.

The controversy began after Eilish posted a video of herself training on a treadmill, which led some viewers to make unfounded assumptions about her health. Eilish responded with a post emphasizing the intensive nutritional requirements of marathon training, stating, "Some people have no comprehension of how much you have to fuel your body to do this type of training. Bunch of clowns."

Support for McColgan has been robust within the athletics community. Neil Gourley, British 1500m champion, praised Eilish for her role model status in calling out such behavior. "There is a misogynistic element to it and it really is an embarrassing thing to have to look at," Gourley commented to BBC Scotland.

This incident sheds light on the broader issue of body-shaming in sports, highlighting the need for a more supportive and respectful online environment for athletes. For those affected by similar issues, resources and support can be found through organizations listed on the BBC Action Line.

Related Topics: Athletics, Women in Sports, Body Image, Mental Health