‘It’s Toxic’- Sydney McLaughlin Breaks Down in Tears Over Lack of Respect After Tokyo Olympics 2020
Follow Us
The long-overdue conversation about the mental health of athletes is finally being taken up seriously and regularly. In a recent video, Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin opened up about her troubles with social media. Social media websites are fast becoming infamous for their links to increased anxiety and depression. Lack of regulation of comments online can expose athletes to greater abuse and Sydney opens up about being disrespected even by her teammates.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Sydney McLaughlin opens up in an emotional Instagram post
The gold medalist in Japan spoke about the troubles she faced during the trials because of the bullying she received. McLaughlin posted a video stating the problems she faced.
“I am grateful for the platform. I am grateful to be able to reach people. But I don’t want it, like when I tell you I don’t want fame, I don’t want any of that. It’s toxic. It genuinely, physically make me sick. When I got back on social media, for three or four weeks before the trials, I started getting anxiety because you look and you’re looking at what everybody else is doing, what everybody else is posting, how many followers they have, and it physically makes you sick.”
Trending
Fresh Controversy Brews After Sha’Carri Richardson and Team USA ‘Outfit’ Fallout As Athlete Robbed of Paris Olympics Dream Over Sponsorship
May 01, 2024 04:27 PM EDT
‘I Was Already Salty’- Serena Williams Pokes Husband Alexis Ohanian Over His $180 Million Master-Stroke for Their Daughter Olympia
May 03, 2024 08:01 PM EDT
“Coward”: Deion Sanders’ Innocence Shines as Dylan Edwards and Father’s Behavior Exposed in Fiery Feud With Colorado Buffs
May 04, 2024 04:10 AM EDT
Racing Community Goes Berserk as Tony Stewart Drops Surprising ‘Fans Double’ Announcement Amidst Indy Return
May 03, 2024 01:47 PM EDT
Shannon Sharpe Addresses Coach Prime’s Alleged Criticism for Not ‘Protecting’ Him From Controversial Attacks
May 04, 2024 05:31 AM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest Olympics stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
“I don’t want that, I don’t want the fame, I just want a little bit of respect,” said McLaughlin.
Despite being an Olympic champion, the athlete spoke about the difficulties she faced. The ability to stay detached from it is hard as McLaughlin opened up on Instagram on the way she dealt with the issue.
Elaine Thompson Joins Usain Bolt To Create Jamaican History At Tokyo Olympics 2020 In 100 and 200m Sprints
Disrespected by teammates too?
Apart from the hate comments she received online, the American athlete opened up about her problems with some of her teammates getting onto the act as well.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“It blows my mind. People who have been my teammates, who have watched me die every day at practice, believe that I’m standing here today because I have followers. I can’t control who presses the follower button, but I can control what I do on that track, and that’s the thing that doesn’t get respect and it blows my mind,” said McLaughlin.
After setting the world record time of 51.46 in Tokyo the American was on top of the world. But, as she stated in her caption, “even in success, there can be pain”, everything is far from rosy for the accomplished athlete.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Athletes are faced with an incredible amount of abuse and adulation due to social media. Regulatory checks on social media in most cases tend to be futile. It raises the need for a much more holistic and measured approach towards a deepening issue.
WATCH THIS STORY- Top 10 Greatest Moments in Olympic History