Gabby Douglas finished seventh of eight on Sunday’s uneven bars final, ending an Olympics that was more absorbed by criticism on social media than her actual performance.
The three-time gold medalist was interviewed post competition, notably upset when asked about the continued bullying she has received on Twitter from people in the U.S via Yahoo Sports:
I’ve been trying to stay off the internet because it is so much negativity. And … ah … I’m like, ‘What?’ … When they talk about my hair or me not putting my hand on my heart or me being salty in the stands and, you know, really criticizing me … and it doesn’t feel good. For me, it was a little bit hurtful.
When asked about her performance:
Well, in my head I had pictured it a little bit differently, Douglas said. I think everybody does. You want to picture yourself on top and doing those routines and being amazing.
Douglas also reiterated that she’s “apologized if she had offended anyone” for not following her teammates, who all placed their hands over their hearts during the national anthem and for not showing enough support for Simone Biles and Aly Raisman. However she also mentions that she’s still surprised by the amount of backlash received from the incident.
When you go through a lot and you have so many difficulties and people against you sometimes, it kind of just determines your character. She continued. For me, it’s been a lot. I still love them, still love the people who love me and the people who hate me.
It became quite clear, as the interview came to an end, the gymnast could no longer put on a brave face. She thanked the press and congratulated Madison Kocian, who won the sliver medal in the uneven bars competition, walked down the hall of the Olympic Area, stood in the corner and cried via EPSN.
I’ve been an athlete myself, and I find it ridiculous that she’s being put through this. People can’t ask of her, what they can’t do themselves.