Competing in the Olympics is a dream realized by only a few athletes. It requires hard work, determination, talent, and the ability to ignore negativity. Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher recently faced body-shaming on TikTok when a viewer made a comment about her BMI.
The comment focused on Maher’s BMI, inaccurately stating a percentage and attempting to body shame her. Maher, who is representing Team USA in her second Olympics, did not let the comment go unaddressed.
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Maher respectfully responded to the body-shaming comment, confirming her BMI and addressing the history of unsolicited comments about her body. She shared personal experiences of feeling judged based on her weight.
Maher emphasized the flaws of using BMI as a measure of health, especially for athletes. Experts have criticized the use of BMI due to its limitations and historical biases.
As Maher highlighted, BMI fails to account for individual body compositions, especially in athletes with higher muscle mass. She pointed out that BMI does not define her abilities or strength on the field.
Maher made a powerful statement against body-shaming and emphasized that all body types are capable and deserving of respect, especially in the context of the Olympics.
In a TikTok video, Maher celebrated the diversity of body types at the Olympics and shut down her body-shamer by showcasing her success as an athlete.
The incident serves as a reminder to avoid body-shaming and appreciate the strength and abilities of all individuals, regardless of their appearance.
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