Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas is opening up about the bullying she has been enduring after she did not place her hand over her heart during her team’s gold medal ceremony in Rio last week.
Although she has apologized, the internet trolls are still coming after the 20-year-old via social media and now she is speaking out about the “hurtful” comments some are saying about her.
"I tried to stay off the internet because there's just so much negativity," she said. "Either it was about my hair or my hand not over my heart or I look depressed. It was hurtful. It was hurtful. It was. It's been kind of a lot to deal with."
The nasty comments directed at her began when her “Final Five” squad took the goldmedal in the team event and Douglas was perceived by some as being rude or disrespectful for not placing her hand over her heart. She later said that she “always try to stand at attention out of respect for our country whenever the national anthem is played. I never meant any disrespect and apologize if I offended anyone.”
But this isn’t the first time she has been the target of rude comments. Four years ago in London, Douglas also heard the criticism and was even ridiculed for her looks.
"When they talk about my hair or not putting my hand over my heart or being very salty in the stands, really criticizing me ... for me it was really hurtful," Douglas admitted. "Did I choose my hair texture? No. I'm grateful for having this hair on my head. When you read that hurtful stuff you're like 'OK, wow.'"
On Sunday, Aug. 14, Gabby competed in the uneven bars but only placed seventh. This could very well be her last Olympic games and if so she says she does not regret returning to her second Olympic team. And hopefully she knows that more of the country was behind her and is very proud of her than those who are not.