Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin denounces violence in social media comments

American Olympic champion and world record holder in the 400m hurdles Sydney McLaughlin posted a moving testimony on the expectations of her status and management of social media, echoing the subject of the mental health of athletes put in the spotlight by gymnast Simone Biles.

“It hurts me and I find it very disrespectful to do everything right, but still it is never enough. There is always a problem with you, ”explains the young 22-year-old champion, in tears, in a simple video facing the camera posted Monday evening on her Instagram account.

A true athletic prodigy, domineering since her younger years, Sydney McLaughlin became this summer double Olympic champion (400m hurdles with a sensational world record and 4x400m relay). Her video was shot just after the American selections in June, where she broke the world record for her favorite discipline for the first time.

“We were not designed to support such a weight”

“I can post right, say whatever it takes, do whatever it takes, take care of what concerns me, and that still seems to displease some. I am happy to no longer live for the eyes of others, because this kind of moment could have put me on the ground for three weeks, ”she adds in the midst of explanations on her Christian faith and the expectations of those around her. .

“We were not designed to support such a weight, to attract such attention, we are not made to be famous”, adds the American, the muse of her equipment supplier at the many fashion shoots, who has about a million of followers on Instagram, making it one of the most followed athletes in the world.

“I can’t control what color my skin is. I can’t control who presses the follow button. But I can control what I do on that track and that’s the thing that doesn’t get the respect and it blows my mind.”@GoSydGo opens up in an emotional video

Full video: https://t.co/lqJF1529Fj pic.twitter.com/34NFbiLXIF

— Chris Chavez (@ChrisChavez) August 23, 2021

“I’m grateful to be able to talk to so many people (on social networks) but I don’t want it, it’s toxic, it makes me really sick (…) we don’t have to be friends, you may not subscribe to my posts, but in the sports world, at 21 (now 22), having been in the olympics twice and being a world record holder, i just ask for a little respect. “

Expected as the superstar of the Tokyo Olympics, the American gymnast Simone Biles had abruptly stopped in full competition and had highlighted the mental health problems that can affect top athletes.