The Olympics are a time to celebrate beautiful team spirit, unbelievable athletic prowess and a non-xenophobic reason to chant USA! USA! But, of course, we cant have nice things, so some people have taken it upon themselves to shame 3-time Olympic gold medalist and all-around badass Gabby Douglas on the internet.After Douglas completed the final routine of her Olympic career on Sunday, ESPN reported that she choked back tearswhen asked about the barrage of criticism shes received back home.I tried to stay off the internet because theres just so much negativity, Douglas reportedly said. Either it was about my hair or my hand not over my heart [on the medal podium] or I look depressed. ... It was hurtful. It was hurtful. It was. Its been kind of a lot to deal with.To anyone who has the urge to spew hatred at a 20-year-old Olympic champion on social media, take this chance to think about a) why you feel the need to criticize her, and b) the impact said abuse has on a real, flesh-and-blood human being.To review, since the Rio Olympics began on August 5...People gotangry that Douglas stood at attention instead of putting her hand on her heart during the medal ceremony for the womens gymnastics team all-around gold.Just because you didn't make the all-around finals doesn't mean you have to be a disrespectful bitch Gabby Douglas! pic.twitter.com/SetfQNfBHe ReallyRick (@ReallyRicks) August 9, 2016 People got angry about her hair.Can somebody do something to Gabby Douglas hair please' Kiara (@Dope_Blondie) August 4, 2016 People got angry about her facial expressions.Will someone please smack that disrespectful look off Gabby Douglas face! #Rio2016 CHRIS COX (@CHRISCOX42274) August 12, 2016 The subtext being: This young, black, female athlete did not behave and/or look in the way I, a random individual, think she should have in the midst of a competition I certainly do not have the skills to enter. Therefore, I must comment on it in a totally demeaning way. Gabby Douglas is one of three U.S. gymnasts in Olympic history to win three gold medals. She is the first African-American woman to win the individual all-around Olympic gold. She has written two books. Shes so damn inspiring that she has her very own Barbie doll. And she has done all of this before she is old enough to legally drink.Can we let an elite athlete who just left her teen years live'Ghostbusters star and Olympics superfan Leslie Jones ' who sadly is no stranger to racist, sexist online bile ' jumped to Douglas defense with #LOVE4GABBYUSA to encourage love for Douglas online:Yo I just heard Gabby getting attacked on her page show her the love you showed me #LOVE4GABBYUSA and I also got jack on the case!Sorry baby Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) August 15, 2016 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 And people have responded in kind, celebrating Douglas achievements, athletic skills and fortitude in the face of online hatred:Gabby Douglas is one of three US women gymnasts EVER to win 3 Olympic gold medals. Show some damn respect. #love4gabbyusa Chloe Angyal (@ChloeAngyal) August 15, 2016 #LOVE4GABBYUSA You will always be an inspiration to young black girls. Thank you for representing your country with dignity! Jess (@Honey223344) August 15, 2016 So much #LOVE4GABBYUSA...not many people can do what she does '' pic.twitter.com/gM0NeWxvps Ali Benveniste (@apbenven) August 15, 2016 When u are in your quiet moments @gabrielledoug know that u are supported and loved. U made us proud. U are enough. #LOVE4GABBYUSA Danielle Ricks (@daniellericks) August 15, 2016 Gabby Douglas is exactly what an American champion looks like, and we should be damn proud. #FlyingSquirrel forever.For more Olympics coverage:Calm Down, Gabby Douglas Wasnt Intentionally Disrespecting Her Country14 Times The Final Five Loved Each Other So Freaking Much50 Photos That Show The Raw Power Of This Years Olympic WomenHeres The Real Reason We Love Watching Olympic GymnasticsStop Attributing The Success Of Women Olympians To Men -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.
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