Eilish McColgan ‘numb’ to body-shaming social media comments | Athletics

Irish McColgan said he was “paralysed” to comment on social media about her figure and was warned of the risks of linking her to an eating disorder. The UK long-distance runner highlighted the abuse she suffered this month after posting a video of her on the treadmill in preparation for her first London Marathon. Some comments suggest that she has lost anorexia.

McColgan feels that she has a completely healthy body and that linking her body shape to an eating disorder is dangerous for aspiring athletes to see. “I'm paralyzed with it now, it won't affect me,” she said. “The reason I call it is that people don't think it's how they have to see them as athletes. It's dangerous for people to see such comments and think that it has to be.

“I'm healthy and I'm healthy. Just because my body frame is small doesn't mean I have an eating disorder. I'm sending a message to people who say they need to run long on the treadmill every day to balance their calories.

“I eat what I want. I'm a normal person. I wanted a box of donuts, so I got a box of donuts the other day. It also undermines people who are suffering from actual orders to eat. These are serious problems.”

McColgan is bolstering her training for her debut at the London Marathon. The 34-year-old, the 10,000m commonwealth champion, is excited to reach the starting line, where he had to withdraw from the 2023 race due to an injury. And she admits that she is heading towards the unknown. “It's a new challenge, but it's a natural progression,” Scott said. “It made me a little longer than usual, and it's how my career is on my way and there's not much I can do about it.

“I've absolutely loved my truck career. This new chapter on roads is in the early stages. It's like you're really playing a new sport. Everyone has to start somewhere and when you do it first, 26 miles is hard for everyone.”