Eilish McColgan is not just a champion on the athletics track; she’s also a strong advocate for body positivity. The three-time Olympian, known for her long strides and incredible endurance, stands tall at 174cm, making her a distinctive figure among her distance-running rivals. McColgan has recently found herself at the centre of an online storm due to body-shaming comments. But she isn’t facing this battle alone! Fans, on the other hand, have offered their prayers and support, rallying behind the athlete in the face of online abuse.

Recently, McColgan’s mother, Liz, gave an honest opinion about body-shaming trolls who have targeted her daughter with negative comments. Comments on social media criticizing Britain’s Commonwealth 10,000m champion Eilish McColgan for her appearance have been “demeaning and abusive,” according to her mother and coach, Liz McColgan. Responding to one such post, Liz McColgan fired back, saying, “Stop the jealousy and abuse of women athletes online by posting ridiculous and stupid comments.” She emphasized that her 34-year-old daughter was strong enough to ignore the negativity but expressed concern for younger athletes who might be more vulnerable to such attacks.

Eilish recently shared a video of herself training on a treadmill ahead of her first London Marathon, only to be met with comments questioning if she had an eating disorder. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time she has faced such scrutiny. The abuse has followed her throughout her career, becoming more pronounced as her profile in international athletics grew. She first became acutely aware of the issue at the London 2012 Olympics and has spoken out against it ever since. In 2019, she directly responded to body-shaming comments, stating, “Go body-shame elsewhere.”

McColgan has spent her life in the public eye, growing up in a family of elite athletes. Her mother, Liz, is an Olympic silver medalist and World Champion over 10,000m, as well as a winner of the London, New York, and Tokyo Marathons. Her father, Peter McColgan, also competed at the highest levels, representing Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the World Athletics Championships.

The support for Eilish extends beyond her family. British 1500m champion Neil Gourley condemned the “horrible behaviour” directed towards her and praised her for calling it out. “I’ve been fortunate enough in my career to not receive a whole lot of that side of things. There is a misogynistic element to it, and it really is an embarrassing thing to have to look at,” Gourley told BBC Scotland.

After missing most of 2024 due to a knee injury, McColgan is set to make her much-anticipated London Marathon debut in late April. This will be her third attempt, having previously pulled out of the race twice due to injuries. With her sights set on a fast time, she hopes to one day challenge Paula Radcliffe’s British marathon record of 2hr 15min 25sec.

Despite the negativity, Eilish McColgan continues to push forward, proving herself as a world-class athlete and an inspiration to many. With her marathon debut on the horizon, Eilish remains focused on what truly matters. While online trolls attempt to bring her down, the overwhelming support from fans highlights the strength that defines her career.

Fans Offer Prayers to Olympic Runner Eilish McColgan After Online Trolling

One fan expressed frustration over the online negativity, writing, “I just don’t understand why people can’t be kind. As a very tall and overweight guy who runs for fun, it’s not hard to see that it’s normal for a tall elite athlete to be slim.” This sentiment was echoed by many who recognized that elite runners have naturally lean physiques due to the demands of their sport.

Another fan showed admiration for Eilish McColgan, saying, “To me, she is a goddess. I love watching her run.” Many supporters noted her grace, strength, and athleticism, pointing out that she serves as an inspiration for aspiring runners worldwide. A different supporter commented, “If only they knew what you have to eat and drink, they are just jealous.” This statement highlights the rigorous diet and training regimen that professional athletes follow to maintain peak performance.

One fan questioned the mindset of the critics, saying, “What the heck is wrong with people? They should be focusing on what an incredible role model she is.” Many echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that McColgan’s accomplishments should be celebrated rather than scrutinized.

Another supporter passionately defended her, tweeting, “This annoys me. I support @EilishMccolgan and all our women athletes 100%. I’d like to see all the haters achieve what @EilishMccolgan has. These trolls have nothing better to do. As a fan, I’m behind @EilishMccolgan and our women athletes 100%.” This statement reflects the unwavering support she has received from fans who appreciate her dedication to the sport.

After missing most of 2024 due to a knee injury, McColgan is set to make her much-anticipated London Marathon debut in late April. This will be her third attempt, having previously pulled out of the race twice due to injuries. With her sights set on a fast time, she hopes to one day challenge Paula Radcliffe’s British marathon record of 2hr 15min 25sec.