Mum of Eilish McColgan condemns “ridiculous” discrimination of four-time Olympic athlete’s body

Athletes in the high-stress field of competitive sports sometimes come under close examination not only for their performances but also for their appearance. Eilish McColgan, the 10,000-meter champion from the Commonwealth Games, has lately been under such unjustifiable criticism. McColgan started getting body-shaming remarks on social media after a video of her treadmill training session in getting ready for her forthcoming marathon debut.

The answers ranged from scathing comments about her appearance to unfounded allegations of eating disorders. One user yelled without thinking, “Give that girl a burger,” said another without stopping; “She looks like a skeleton.” Such comments not only expose negative presumptions but also show a misunderstanding of the physical strain top-performance athletes endure.

Eilish’s mother and coach, Liz McColgan, reacted immediately to defend these negative comments. Liz stressed that the rigorous training professional runners go through results in naturally low body fat percentages based on her own experience as an Olympic silver medallist and world champion.

She underlined the vital need for a good diet, particularly for marathon runners since without adequate calories the body cannot function as it should. Liz spoke for Eilish herself, who has the will to resist such attacks, and for younger athletes who might be more easy targets for internet abuse. Emphasising the possible negative effects on the mental health of female athletes, she exhorted the public to stop the mistreatment and jealousy aimed against them. Eilish McColgan’s sports career speaks to dedication and excellence.

 

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In the half marathon, 10,000, and 5,000 kilometres she holds British records. With a time of 30:00.86 in March 2023, she surpassed Paula Radcliffe’s 21-year British 10,000m record.
Later that month, at the Berlin Half Marathon, she set a new British half marathon record with 1:05:43. After a knee injury sidelined her for much of 2024, McColgan returned victorious demonstrating her unwavering commitment to the sport and won in multiple events. As Eilish gets ready for her marathon debut in the 2025 London Marathon, she keeps her attention on her training and performance.

Managing the online criticism, Eilish called some people’s ignorance of the dietary requirements of elite athletes a “bunch of clowns.” Both the supporters and other athletes still provide her great help, which emphasises even more the need to emphasise her goals instead of detractors. Sport-related body-shaming is not the only problem McColgan deals with.

Public body shame has also fallen upon other rivals, including celebrities like Billie Eilish. Those events simply serve to highlight the larger community issue around unreachable body standards and needless stress imposed on people—especially women—to look a specific way.

Society has to accept and value the differences in athletic bodies. Sportsmen such as Eilish McColgan represent the height of physical prowess and commitment. Apart from undermining their efforts, abusive remarks support negative discourses that could demoralise future sportsmen. As Eilish gets ready for the London Marathon, her athletic prowess and the inspiration she gives to many must always take the front stage.