This Three-Time Gold Medal Gymnast Was Body-Shamed At The Airport And People On Twitter Had The Perfect Comebacks

Youtube / Team USA and Twitter / @Aly_Raisman

It’s not exactly strange for a woman to be body-shamed — in fact, it’s almost the norm — but rarely do we hear of athletes going through the same thing. But three-time gold medal gymnast Alexandra Raisman reminded us that it can happen to everybody, and that it probably does.

Raisman was going through airport security when one of the men working there decided to make a comment about her muscles — or, in his opinion, her lack thereof.

She went on to explain just what was so wrong with his comment, which may have seemed innocent to some people.

Of course, people on Twitter came up with some good comebacks she could’ve used on the dude.

https://twitter.com/BenLipinski/status/867463785866547200

Really, why does some dude who works at the airport think he has any room to judge an Olympic athlete?

https://twitter.com/mleenolds/status/867454483873353730

https://twitter.com/shastily/status/867449192972550144

I want to say I’m surprised, but after 23 years of life, I can honestly say I am an expert at understanding body-shaming, as is every woman who has ever stepped outside of their house for more than five minutes at a time.

Gymnasts: they’re just like us. At least, they are in the way that even they can’t escape body-shaming and sexism, but that’s enough for me. Thought Catalog Logo Mark

Callie is a writer, editor, and publisher at Thought Catalog. Her debut book, ‘The Words We Left Behind,’ was released in January 2024.

Keep up with Callie on Instagram, Twitter and calliebyrnes.com

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