Can we all just please take a moment and have a look over at Zoe Smith, please? As I write this, I am eating a cheese sandwich and nervously glancing over at my 5lb dumbbells in the corner. I’m willing to admit to Zoe, I am not worthy.
Not only was Zoe the first ever English woman to win a weightlifting medal at the Commonwealth Games, but she was only 16 years old at the time. Two years on, she has broken all records in England with the massive lift of 121kgs. That’s over double her own weight. There is no denying that, at 18 years old, this young woman is inspirational.
Yet, sadly Zoe has faced discrimination. But we aren’t here to focus on the haters, why should we give them more airtime? We’re here to focus on how she has dealt with the haters; like a woman. A graceful, charming woman who definitely has a sense of humour.
These disrespectful and hurtful comments started after a documentary featuring Zoe and her weightlifting training was aired on BBC3 a week ago, entitled “Girl Power: Going for Gold”, but sadly continued as she’s gone on to represent Team GB.
Zoe has hit out at the abuse she has faced on her Twitter in a way BitchBuzz fully endorses - taking to the keyboard. She has used her own blog to hit out and say, “Thanks, but no thanks…” to those who don’t support her. Not only is her writing a piece that sticks up for her own own life choices, but she’s sticking up for weightlifting women all over the world!
Amazingly, she manages to stand up for herself and others without justifying the hate. She points out that what she does isn’t for anyone else. After all, isn’t that how we all want to live?
“We don’t lift weights in order to look hot, especially for the likes of men like that. What makes them think that we even WANT them to find us attractive? … This may be shocking to you, but we actually would rather be attractive to people who aren’t closed-minded and ignorant. Crazy, eh?!”
She has called her performance at this year’s Olympics her two fingers to the haters.
Zoe Smith may not have got Gold, but she’s a winner in my eyes. YOU GO, GIRL.
Image via John G Moloney