To feel really sad that an athlete's moment should be soured by criticism of their looks

[WhyTheBigPaws]

I know ours is a very image-obsessed society but I almost wanted to cry when I saw how unkind some online wankers posters had been about gymnast Beth Tweddle. I'm not going to repeat what was said but it's easily Google-able. It's really sickening that after all she's achieved she is still judged by how she looks rather than the fact she's just won an Olympic medal.

Sure there are many other examples but this really wound me up, she seems such a sweet girl and I just think how it must have made her feel to read those sort of comments. My DD is a gymnast and looks up to her so much, I would be devastated if she was ever judged in such a horrible way but I expect it's not that unusual :(

Frankie Boyle is an utter tit. I can totally understand his bullying ways, because my brother is the same. Utterly without talent of his own, he is so desperately insecure that he just picks on other people to make himself feel a bit better.

My brother, of course, thinks Frankie Boyle is hilarious.

mercury that's bollocks. I was bullied, and I am not a bully. It's the same as that nonsense that's rolled out that kids that are abused tend to grow up to be abusers even though there's no evidence for it at all.

I find the idea of wanting to feel superior to an Olympic medallist by criticising their appearance baffling

presumably because you dont feel especially insecure or inferior, and therefore dont feel a need to score points off of others?

I was bullied, and I am not a bully
so what?
a sample size of one doesnt prove anything either way

Come to FWR, EGA, you know it makes sense!

I don't think I said it did, mercury.

ditto Yellow:)

I think I'll start lurking on FWR doctrine - this thread, among others since joining MN, has made me curious.

mercury you are correct. I only concern myself with my own achievements and those of my loved ones - I don't really worry about what others are doing, saying, wearing etc.

It's clearly insecurity about their own looks/abilities that makes people so unkind but unfortunately that doesn't make it any less hurtful if you are on the receiving end. It's just like your Mum used to say if kids were nasty at school but you'd think by the time we are adults we wouldn't still be having to deal with it.