Knocking Olympic bodies? You’re bonkers.

There are two athletes in particular whose bodies are being ridiculously scrutinised at the Rio Olympics. One is Mexican gymnast Alexa Moreno whose shape was critiqued on social media as she competed rather than her skill.

The other is the Ethiopian swimmer dubbed ‘Robel the Whale’ whose nickname succinctly sums up all that is wrong with our shallow society.

When I watched Moreno, I was mesmerised by her incredible steely focus; with every movement she oozed confidence. Others quickly reached for their iPhones and let their fingertips commence cruel trolling which appears to have become our nations’ favourite pastime, and an Olympic sport in itself.

When most of us look at Robel Kiros Habte we see a 24-year-old who is pursuing his dream. Reading sickening, relentless media coverage referring to him as “portly” is infuriating.

Clearly, body shaming doesn’t gender discriminate; it's simply about people sticking the boot in, being mean and loving to tear others down.

In what world is it tolerable to slam him and gleefully poke fun behind a keyboard sneering, “It’s the taking part that counts”? Are we really so foul that we will pour spite onto his Olympic efforts by focusing on his physique which reportedly “sets him apart from other Olympic swimmers”?

Do we not instead see someone who has tried and triumphed? Do we not hear him say, “I am so happy because it is my first competition in the Olympics,” and all feel a heartwarming surge of pride?

“I wanted to do something different for my country, that’s why I chose swimming,” he continues. “Everybody, every day you wake up in Ethiopia, you run. Not swimming. But I didn’t want to run; I wanted to be a swimmer. It didn’t matter where I finished.” Aren’t these words we want every child to read and feel inspired not to be told they can’t, but rather that they can? Isn’t the beautiful message: believe, be bold and be fearless?

If no one got in a pool because they didn’t think they could be a Michael Phelps, it would be a very empty pool.

If no one bothered to turn up to training and put their feet in the blocks because they didn’t believe they could be Usain Bolt, we will never find the next awe-inspiring athlete. I will never be Marian Keyes but I still write. Not everyone can be Heston Blumenthal but we don’t have an empty MasterChef set.

We can admire athletes for a huge range of reasons and they all stem from a mindset - a brilliant winning mindset that is victorious before the competition begins.

We don’t have to go so far as giving out medals for taking part to know that life isn’t about perfection. Wait for perfection and you’ll do nothing – except, perhaps, sit on your sofa and knock others for bothering to try.

If you’re critiquing anyone’s body from behind your iPhone screen you have issues. If you're attempting to body shame someone competing in The Olympics you are bonkers. Are you joking? Post continues after gallery.

Every body, no matter its shape, which proudly earns a place in the Olympics has proven fantastic ability. It has already won. That body has trained, practiced, practiced some more, and excelled. It has already shown fierce determination, amazing drive, incredible talent and magnificent capability.

Body shaming anyone is ultimately a reflection of who you are. It says more about you than them.

Sit with that thought for one second before you bash out judgemental words. There is a human being at the other end of your hate mail however it is delivered. Male, female, it doesn’t matter; we all have hearts, we all feel and we all hurt even if we don’t show it.

If you’re hammering out hatred, seriously, put down your phone, look in the mirror and give yourself a really stern talking to!

Rant over…

Listen to Mia Freedman's interview with Leisel Jones about the life of a professional swimmer.

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Featured image via Getty.