Haters body-shamed Mexican Olympic gymnast Alexa Moreno, and social media wasn’t having any of it. Photo: HuffPo
After competing this week at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Mexican gymnast Alexa Moreno was body shamed on social media — until the Twittersphere smothered the hate. The 22-year-old became a target after viewers saw her in the uneven bars, floor exercise, beam and vault events, where she placed 31st overall. Though she clocks in at a mere 99 pounds, a bunch of haters called her fat.
One person posted a drawing of a pig with the words, “Alexa Moreno upon finishing her gymnastic routine.” Another said “she should have been on a diet before attending the Olympics,” and another posted this: “My dream is to win one of those hot dog-eating contests. — Alexa Moreno.”
Body-shaming posts like this were quickly swatted down by social media posts supporting Moreno. Photo: Fusion
“Exclusive images of Alexa Moreno upon finishing her gymnastic routine.”
But in short order, plenty of people stepped up to call the bullies out on their BS, saying things like this:
I'd love to see anyone body-shaming Alexa Moreno do that badass floor routine she pulled off. She's a tremendous athlete and cute as can be.
— Calli (@CalliFugate) August 9, 2016
And:
Lo bueno es que #AlexaMoreno es una chingona, y seguramente sus críticas a su físico no han sido lo peor que ha tenido que superar.
— Nutria sin Alma ⚡️ (@TintaPurpura) August 9, 2016
“The good thing is that Alexa Moreno is a badass, surely the criticism about her physique is not the worst thing she has had to overcome.”
And:
Histórico y rara vez una Mexicana en #GimnasiaArtistica Alexa Moreno ¡Eres Grande! #MEX en #JuegosOlimpicos #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/92CE7xHHEs
— Maria Arellano (@maryfher_) August 8, 2016
“A Mexican in the #ArtisticGymnastics is rare and historic. Alexa Moreno, you’re great!”
