Eilish McColgan, the reigning Commonwealth Games 10,000m champion, has recently opened up about her troubling experiences with body shaming on social media. As she gears up for her debut in the London Marathon, McColgan took to social platforms to share her thoughts and advocate for changes in how online interactions are regulated. She emphasized the need for social media accounts to be linked to verified identities, particularly to protect vulnerable individuals from harmful comments.

McColgans upcoming marathon, scheduled for Sunday, is particularly significant as she aims to surpass her mother, Liz McColgans, personal best time. Liz, a celebrated runner herself, won the prestigious London Marathon in 1996 and secured a runner-up finish in the following year, making her daughters ambition an inspiring family legacy.

The issue of body shaming came to the forefront in March when Liz shared a video of Eilish training. The video attracted a wave of negative responses, with many comments being labeled as demeaning and abusive. Some users went so far as to describe her as anorexic, which deeply affected McColgan. Ive become pretty numb to it. Those comments Ive had for years; theyre nothing new, she stated, reflecting on the toll such remarks can take on a persons mental health.

McColgan pointed out that many of the individuals making these hurtful comments often hide behind anonymous accounts. However, she also noted that there were instances where the abusers used their real names and faces. In a surprising move, she reached out to some of these individuals, including a teacher and a father of three daughters, to convey her dismay over their remarks.

The only reason I call it out from time to time is that I know I have a lot of young kids who follow me, and I dont want them to read it and think the reason Im that fast is because Im starving myself to do it, McColgan explained. She is determined to show her young followers that the online negativity does not reflect her reality but rather serves as a stark contrast to her actual lifestyle, which prioritizes health and proper training.

In light of these experiences, McColgan expressed her belief that social media platforms should require verification to ensure that users are accountable for their words. While acknowledging that the London Marathons official X account has not posted since January, citing the platform's shift away from positivity, she remains committed to maintaining her presence online with clear objectives.

Its trying to get across to the next generation that to get the most out of your career, the utmost priority is looking after your body. It doesnt matter what people online think, she asserted, emphasizing the importance of self-care.

McColgan also shared her experiences with young fans who have reached out to her, expressing their own struggles with bullying related to body image. She hopes that by sharing her journey, she can instill confidence in those who feel pressured by societal standards. If Im in my 30s and still getting bullied for the way I look, it gives them a little more confidence to fight their corner, she remarked.

As she prepares for her marathon debut, McColgan is aiming for a time that would honor her mothers legacy. Im absolutely bricking it. Ive never been this scared! Its completely unknown, she shared candidly. Despite her apprehensions, she remains focused on her goal, having completed 21 miles in training but acknowledging the challenge that awaits her in completing the full 26.2-mile race. Theres that thought process of what happens after 20 miles because I dont know, she concluded, reflecting both excitement and uncertainty about this new chapter in her athletic career.