Something To Consider During The Olympic Games

With the Olympics starting, the world has turned to the big screens to view the world's best athletes reaching new heights and achieving new personal goals. During these celebratory and exciting times, it is important to focus on one of the most important aspects in these exceptional athletes' lives: the preservation of their mental health. With the positivity that the spirit of the Olympic Games brings, there also comes negative media coverage, sometimes targeted towards plus-sized athletes or attributing results to an athlete's body type or size - and this can greatly affect an athlete's mental health. 

Not surprisingly, Olympic athletes are not exempt from facing body shaming within their sport, by the general public, and especially not by mass media. In fact, they are often put on full-blast by social media trolls, media coverage, and much more. The pressure that Olympic athletes endure is unimaginable - adding negative body image to the list is detrimental. 

So, how can we fix this? How can we start the conversation? 

Here are three ways that you can reflect on the impacts of athlete body shaming on Olympic athletes and how we as a society can begin to eradicate hate within the sports community. 

1. Research Olympic athletes' interviews addressing body shaming issues 

2. Avoid commending/shut down any comments from fellow viewers on athletes' outward appearances while viewing the Olympics. 

3. Recognize that social media can often be weaponized and used as a way to damage athletes' body image, but it can also be used to raise awareness and spread positivity. 

The main takeaway from this article is that the Olympics is a way for athletes to showcase their abilities and reach their goals - not a stage on which they should be criticized for their looks. As spectators and fellow human beings alongside these great athletes, we as viewers must treat them with kindness and respect. 

Enjoy the Olympic Games!