Things that used to get me bullied are the things that made me to become an Olympian. Consider that when some jerk tries to tear you down.
— Sarah Robles (@roblympian) May 28, 2016
That’s what the, “Strongest woman in America” Sarah Robles said on Twitter in response to the trolls who have a whole lot of big talk about her body and about her weight from their keyboards.
Success at the Rio Games
Sarah Robles won the Bronze Medal in the Super Heavyweight Division at the Rio Games. This was the FIRST medal for the United States in weightlifting in 16 years. (Personal Gripe: It sure would have been nice to this on television instead of another THRILLING PING PONG or BADMINTON match)
Mission: Impact
Sarah Robles is a woman on a mission. It’s not just the mission of being a champion weightlifter but it’s also the mission of having a positive impact on girls when it comes to body positivity and body image.
After winning the Bronze Medal at the Rio Olympics Robles said this to Reuters:
This means a lot, to be on the podium and give exposure to our sport at a time when it’s already growing. It’s good not just for me but for women of size, for women who want to get up off the couch and do something different. “I didn’t have to conform my body or my ideals or my looks to get where I am,” she says. “I have a bronze medal and I was able to be myself, embrace my body, do the things I’m naturally fitted to do to help make my dreams come true.”
According to Fox News Latino, Robles also said that she wanted to be an inspiration for her community.
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[I want to] inspire young Latino Athletes. “As an Olympic athlete, I represent all Americans, but representing Latinos and Latinas is a great honor,”Overcoming the Obstacles
Poverty without sponsorships
I remember hearing Robles’ story from the London Olympics because it was reported that she was living on $400 a month while training to go to the Games. Robles was unable to acquire sponsorships even though she was the top weightlifter in the country.
“You can get that sponsorship if you’re a super-built guy or a girl who looks good in a bikini. But not if you’re a girl who’s built like a guy.” (Buzzfeed)
People seem to believe a lot of these Olympic athletes have lots of money and just workout all day. This isn’t true for many people in lesser known sports without sponsorships. Imagine trying to train for the biggest competition in the world and trying to survive on $400 a month.
Self Image
Let’s not kid ourselves: Hurtful comments from Internet trolls DO hurt and it’s hard not to internalize them but Sarah Robles is not going to allow that to hold her back.
“I still have bad thoughts about myself, but I’ve learned that you have to love yourself the way you are,” Robles said to BuzzFeed back in 2012, when she was headed to the London Games. “I may look like this, but I’m in the Olympics because of the way I am.
Sports gave Sarah Robles a place to feel accepted and also to thrive.
What others attempted to use in order to tear her down, Sarah Robles used to fuel her way to victory.
“To challenge ‘normal’ ideals is an important thing,” she says. “It’s cool to be me. I’m big and strong and putting it all for good use.”
We are loving this Normal!
Rio Results
Super Heavyweight Weightlifting: Bronze
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