Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas is addressing all of the negative backlash and hate she has received over her hair, "unpatriotic" attitude and more. Find out what she said inside...
There comes a time when being strong is more than you can bare and you suffer a meltdown so to speak. That’s what happened to 2012 Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas while competing in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Much like the 2012 Olympic Games, Gabby has been criticized for just about everything during her stint in Rio. Folks have called her out on her hair and dubbed her as “unpatriotic” for not placing her hand over her heart during the National Anthem after the “Final Five” took home the gold in the all-around team finals. She was even accused of being jealous of her teammates after Simone Biles and Aly Raisman won gold and silver in the all-around individual competition due to her not standing up and clapping, but sitting down and clapping instead. You can check out her controversial reaction in the stands here.
Folks are on epic levels of petty when it comes to Gabby. And we all know how much of a short term memory Twitter has.
Now, she’s addressing all of the haters and became vulnerable after reading a slew of hateful tweets and Instagram comments after placing 7th in the uneven bars on Sunday.
After her routine, Gabby stopped to talk to reporters to address the non-stop backlash she has received since she stepped foot in Rio.
"When they talk about my hair or me not putting my hand on my heart of me being very salty in the stands, they're really criticizing me," Gabby said. "It doesn't really feel good. It was a little bit hurtful."
After her history-making wins in 2012, Gabby hasn’t performed like she thought she would during her possible last Olympic Games this summer and it appears to be taking a toll on her.
"In my head, I pictured it a little bit differently," she said of her individual event. "You want to picture yourself being on top and doing amazing gymnastics."
As for those bashing her for not being a team player, she said,
"Everything I've gone through has been a lot this time around and I apologize if [I seemed] really mad in the stands. I wasn't. I was supporting Aly. And I always will support them and respect them in everything they do. I never want anyone to take it as I was jealous or I wanted attention. Never. I support them, and I'm sorry that I wasn't showing it."
"I've been through a lot," she added. "I still love them. I still love the people who love me. Still love them who hate me. I'm just going to stand on that."
After she spoke with reporters, she was spotted checking her social media accounts in a corner…alone. A member of Team USA’s staff stopped by and rubbed her shoulder. One of her fellow gymnast stopped by for a second to console her with a hug. And once she was left alone again, she walked away from a barricade, kneeled down and grabbed a tissue, dabbing her eyes and wiping her nose.
Through it all, she has no regrets returning to the Olympic Games.
“For me, when you go through a lot, and you have so many difficulties and people against you sometimes, it kind of just determines your character," she said. "Are you going to stand, or are you going to crumble? In the face of everything, still stand. I have no regrets coming back for a second Olympics. It’s been an amazing experience.”
While Gabby has been receiving tons of hate on social media, a new hashtag #LOVE4GABBYUSA is offering up nothing but praise for what she has already accomplished:
Yo I just heard Gabby getting attacked on her page show her the love you showed me #LOVE4GABBYUSA send to @gabrielledoug
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) August 15, 2016
We have mad #LOVE4GABBYUSA. It's a shame twitter can deal with people posting her performances but refuses to deal with harassment
— People For Bernie (@People4Bernie) August 15, 2016
You are #BlackGirlMagic , You are a SHERO, you are an inspiration, thank you for being you #LOVE4GABBYUSApic.twitter.com/PPMyt2m9Rw
— B. (@BrionnaR22) August 15, 2016
#LOVE4GABBYUSA brush those losers and haters off you are strong black Queen.. pic.twitter.com/yMpOU2e36c
— Mr. Brooklyn (@BigLdaGod) August 15, 2016
.@gabrielledoug HI YOU'RE AMAZING #LOVE4GABBYUSApic.twitter.com/221dU7ZDiz
— Lindsay Zoladz (@lindsayzoladz) August 15, 2016
Gabby is STILL a black girl who ROCKS!
Photo: Getty
