BTN News: In the world of sports, female athletes continually push the boundaries of what the human body can achieve. They are champions, world-record holders, and Olympians. Yet, despite their monumental achievements, they are often subjected to an insidious form of criticism—body shaming. This issue, deeply rooted in societal expectations of how women should look, has repeatedly reared its ugly head in recent years. The scrutiny is relentless, whether for being too muscular, too “masculine,” too heavy, or even too feminine. Elite athletes, who have spent their lives honing their bodies to excel in their chosen sports, find themselves under the microscope not for their skills but for their appearances.
Body shaming, as defined by the Cambridge and Oxford dictionaries, refers to the criticism of someone’s body shape, size, or appearance. This form of shaming is not only pervasive in everyday life but also deeply entrenched in the world of sports, affecting even the most successful female athletes. A recent example that reignited the conversation around this issue involved Paula Leitón, an Olympic champion water polo player from Spain. Leitón, who stands at an impressive 1.87 meters tall and possesses a physique perfectly suited for her demanding position in the team, faced a barrage of fatphobic comments on social media. Her response was both powerful and revealing, highlighting the absurdity of the criticism when she stated, “I’ve just won an Olympic gold medal, which has been my dream since I was a little girl.” Her indifference to the hate underscores a critical point: the real harm of such comments may not be felt by those who are already secure in their success but by younger, more impressionable athletes.
Unfortunately, Paula Leitón’s experience is not an isolated incident. Many female athletes, regardless of their achievements, have faced similar attacks. The prevalence of body shaming is alarming, with some estimates suggesting that 94% of teenage girls in the United States have experienced it. The consequences extend beyond social media, influencing how young women engage with sports. According to a report by the Instituto de las Mujeres in Spain, weight stigma is linked to decreased physical activity, as young women often avoid sports to escape further stigmatization.
One particularly egregious example of body shaming occurred during the 2024 Paris Olympics, involving Algerian boxer Imane Khelif. Despite her outstanding performance, Khelif became the target of hateful comments suggesting she was a transgender woman, accusations fueled by unfounded rumors about her chromosomes. These attacks, which were amplified by high-profile figures such as Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, reveal how deeply entrenched gender norms can be in sports. The narrative pushed by these critics was not just about physical appearance but also about who is “allowed” to compete as a woman.
Similarly, Fran Kirby, a footballer for Chelsea and the English national team, has spoken openly about the body shaming she has endured throughout her career. Despite her petite frame—she stands at just 1.57 meters tall and weighs 52 kilos—Kirby has been labeled “fat” by critics. These comments are not just hurtful; they reflect a broader issue within sports where female athletes are judged not on their performance but on their adherence to societal beauty standards. Kirby’s experience highlights the toxic environment in which female athletes operate, where their bodies are constantly scrutinized and criticized, often leading to damaging effects on their mental health and self-esteem.
In the world of synchronized swimming, British athletes Kate Shortman and Isabele Thorpe have also faced harsh criticism for their muscular builds. Society’s double standard is stark: while men are often praised for their strength and muscularity, women are expected to maintain a slender, delicate appearance. Shortman and Thorpe, however, have used their platform to challenge these outdated notions, participating in campaigns like #BeStrongBeBeautiful, which encourages women to embrace their strength and redefine what it means to be feminine. Their experiences reflect a broader issue in sports, particularly in disciplines like gymnastics and synchronized swimming, where there have been numerous reports of coaches imposing extreme weight-related expectations on athletes, often leading to eating disorders and other health issues.
The story of Katelyn Ohashi, a former member of the U.S. national gymnastics team, further illustrates the toxic culture that pervades many sports. At just 16 years old, Ohashi was told by a coach that her back pain was due to weight gain, a comment that contributed to her developing a negative body image and disordered eating habits. Her experience is, unfortunately, not unique. Many young gymnasts are subjected to similar pressures, often leading to long-term psychological and physical consequences.
Even after retiring, athletes like Garbiñe Muguruza, a former world number one tennis player, continue to face scrutiny about their bodies. Muguruza, who stepped away from professional tennis in April 2024, was asked about her appearance at a public event, with the interviewer noting that some social media users had criticized her for appearing to have “let herself go.” Her response, a mix of humor and exasperation, underscores the ongoing issue: even when their careers are over, female athletes are still expected to maintain a certain physical appearance, as though their value lies not in their accomplishments but in their ability to conform to societal standards.
The issue of body shaming in sports is deeply rooted in societal norms and expectations about gender and appearance. Despite the progress made in recent years toward gender equality in sports, the pressure on female athletes to conform to narrow beauty standards remains pervasive. As Isabel Tajahuerce, an expert in gender violence and a delegate for equality at the Complutense University of Madrid, points out, the underlying problem is that these “imaginary standards” continue to dictate how women should look and behave, often overshadowing their achievements and reducing their identities to their physical appearances.
In conclusion, the battle against body shaming in sports is far from over. Female athletes, regardless of their success, are still judged by the size, shape, and appearance of their bodies rather than their skills, dedication, and achievements. This toxic culture not only undermines the accomplishments of these incredible women but also discourages future generations of female athletes from pursuing their dreams. It is crucial that we continue to challenge these harmful stereotypes and create a more inclusive environment where all athletes can thrive, free from the constraints of outdated beauty standards. Only then can we truly celebrate the strength, resilience, and excellence of female athletes on their own terms.
