Manila Esposito Between Podiums and Body Shaming: 'My Body is Worth Gold'

Italian gymnast Manila Esposito achieved significant success at the European Championships in Zagreb, securing three medals. However, her triumph was marred by online insults targeting her appearance, an issue that has drawn condemnation from the Italian Gymnastics Federation (FGI).

Esposito addressed the body-shaming incidents directly, admitting they were hurtful but stating she chose to ignore the authors of the messages. She emphasized her self-acceptance and confidence in her body, asserting that her physique is instrumental to her athletic achievements, particularly her European title in the floor exercise. She also spoke out against the notion that everyone must conform to a single beauty standard and condemned the anonymity that emboldens online harassment.

Andrea Facci, president of the FGI, publicly defended Esposito, calling the body-shaming episodes "indecent" and highlighting the damage such online behavior inflicts on young athletes. He expressed concern over the impunity of "keyboard warriors" and called for measures to combat online hate speech. Facci noted that Esposito's medals were doubly significant given the context of these attacks, and he alluded to past issues within the federation concerning alleged mistreatment and abuse related to athletes' physical appearance.

The gymnast received widespread support from fellow athletes, fans, and the public on social media, with many messages countering the negativity. Sergio Colella, a local sports official, praised Esposito's composed response to the gratuitous malice, calling her a champion both in sport and in life. This incident underscores the ongoing struggle against online harassment in sports and the importance of supporting athletes' well-being.