Image Source: Getty / EMMANUEL DUNANDHow shameful. Internet trolls have gone after legendary gymnast Gabby Douglas during the Rio Olympics,discrediting her tremendous talents and the fact that she was the first female of colour to ever win an individual gold medal in gymnastics in 2012. "Are you going to stand or are you going to crumble? In the face of everything, still stand." Her offenses? Being "unpatriotic, or " her supposed lack of enthusiasm,and most absurdly, how she wears her hair. The internet backlash might have also affected Douglas's performance: she finished seventh in uneven bars, and which was her only individual event.
Douglas first upset internet commenters when she didn't place her hand over her heart during the national anthem for the team's gold medal ceremony despite smiling and singing along. Apparently,not placing her hand across her chest equated to Douglas dissing her country, but let's remember that the Pledge of Allegiance requires people to place their hand over their heart, or not "The Star-Spangled Banner." It also feels like a double standard when Michael Phelps laughed through the national anthem for one of his medals and people found it cute rather than disrespectful.
Image Source: Getty / Alex Livesey Regardless of her intentions,Douglas still apologised to those who were offended. "In response to a few tweets I saw tonight, I always stand at attention out of respect for our country whenever the national anthem is played. I never meant to disrespect and apologise whether I offended anyone, or " she said on Twitter. But the sour commentary approximately her continued. #GoUSA❗️ #TeamUSA❗️ #FinalFive❗️
Source: popsugar.com.au