2024 Paris Olympic athletes have been the stars of our algorithms. And while we should all be rooting for all their hard work and even their persistence in qualifying in their sport, a lot of people took this opportunity to spread unwarranted hate, disinformation, and criticism against the athletes.
While nobody deserves hate, the athletes didn't just shut down their critics and proved them wrong. They also taught us that they don't need anyone's approval to succeed.
Here Are The 2024 Olympic Athletes Who Didn't Let The Haters Get To Them
1. Carlos Yulo
Before all the triumphant noises for the two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo, he was not exempted to all the hate and criticisms from netizens. Initially, he ranked 12th place out of 24 contenders in the 2024 Paris Olympics. This made him a subject to hate comments about his physique and his height. People have casted doubts against him, even bringing controversies about his girlfriend, Chloe San Jose.
Even before the 2024 Olympics began, a lot of people doubted Carlos’ ability to bring home the gold when he split with longtime Japanese coach Munehiro Kugimiya. And yet, Carlos rose to the top. He proved the haters wrong not once, but twice!
2. Imane Khelif
Imane Khelif, an Algerian boxer, has faced not only hate and criticism but has been a victim of misinformation. Before reaching the pinnacle of her career, questions about her sexuality emerged on social media. This sparked a backlash, with many attempting to sabotage her Olympic career by calling for her disqualification, falsely alleging she was born male. In reality, she is a biological female.
Due to her physique and appearance, many people "transvestigated" her, even spreading fake news that she was using steroids, rendering her unqualified to compete. Despite these challenges and a difficult beginning, Imane advanced to the final match after triumphing over Thailand and is gearing up for a gold medal.
3. Simone Biles
Simone Biles, an acclaimed American gymnast, had already established her legacy long before the 2024 Paris Olympics, earning the title of the "G.O.A.T" (Greatest of All Time) for her exceptional performances. But not everyone welcomed her fame. Some hated it—and for the wrong reasons.
After withdrawing from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics to prioritize her mental health and safety, Simone faced backlash and accusations of lacking patriotism and commitment to her country. The criticism was compounded by racist comments targeting her as a Black woman and adopted child, with some questioning her strength as an Olympian.
Despite these challenges, Biles made a triumphant return at the 2024 Olympics, teaching us the vital importance of mental health and self-care. She won a silver medal and emphasized that her achievement was for herself, not for the approval of others.
4. Ilona Maher
The 2024 Paris Olympics would not be complete without the wit, intellect, humor, and hype of Ilona Maher from the USA Rugby Team. Ilona not only made a name for herself in the field of sports after winning bronze in the rugby match, but she also became a role model for girls and women alike.
Ilona faced criticism for being "manly," with many assuming she was male due to her masculine features and was even made fun of because of her BMI. She was also bashed for wearing makeup on the field, showing signs of femininity. However, she transformed this negativity into something meaningful—she confronted it head-on. Ilona used the opportunity to create a platform for empowering women and girls.
Through her Instagram account, she shares content about equality in sports and body positivity. She slammed the toxicity of women’s body standards and encouraged them to be just the way they are. Many have praised her for staying true to herself despite the criticism. After all, she did win bronze, didn't she?
5. Katie Ledecky
When some netizens encounter a woman with an athletic physique, unfortunately, it's not uncommon for them to make assumptions about her being transgender. This underscores how even cisgender individuals can fall victim to transphobia, including Katie Ledecky, an American competitive swimmer and four-time Olympic gold medalist.
Despite her achievements and being a white American, Katie has faced unjust criticism. Many netizens have commented that she swims "like a man" and described her looks and physique as "too manly." Even on congratulatory photos on social media, some people sarcastically question, "Who’s the guy in the picture?" But she rose to the top, proving them wrong.
