Of all the people you could choose to bully in this world, I don’t know why you would land on the hottest and most successful people in the world. The media (not me) and sad internet trolls just love to spend their time criticizing Olympians like Simone Biles, Sha’Carri Richardson, and Ilona Maher for no good reason. People comment on the athletes’ hair, age, losses, nails… the list goes on and on. I’m not having it, and neither are the icons; they’re not afraid to make fierce statements on social media or at press conferences. Here are all the times Olympians clapped back at the media and internet trolls.

All The Times Olympians Defended Themselves Against The Media And Haters

Simone Biles #1 – Ending Critics Who Called Her A “Quitter”

Simone knows she’s literally the GOAT and doesn’t stand for any bullshit. After she withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 to focus on her mental health, the record-breaking athlete faced a ton of criticism from media folks calling her a “quitter.”

In an Insta post addressing those critics directly, Simone made them look like the fools they are. “This Olympics doesn’t erase the past accomplishments I’ve achieved nor does it define who I am as an athlete,” she wrote at the time. “‘I’ve pushed through so much the past couple years, the word quitter is not in my vocabulary.”

Her caption continued, “For some of you that may be how you define me, but keep talking because I can’t hear you over my seven Olympic medals which tied me for the most decorated gymnast EVER as well as most decorated American gymnast.” And that’s how you destroy Fox News hosts <3.

Simone Biles #2 – Destroying The People Hating On Her Hair

Image Credit: Simone Biles Instagram

After there was some ridiculous online chatter about her hair during the Paris Olympics, Simone wrote in an Insta Story, “Don’t come for me about my hair. IT WAS DONE but bus has NO AC & it’s like 9,0000 degrees. Oh & a 45 min ride.” Leave this absolutely perfect, history-making, athletic artiste alone!! My goodness. In a second Story, Simone shared another selfie and wrote: “Gonna hold your hand while I say this…next time you wanna comment on a Black girl’s hair. JUST DON’T.” Yup.

Sha’Carri Richardson Roasting Interviewers

In June 2022, Sha’Carri made an iconic statement at the National Track and Field Championships after she didn’t qualify for Worlds. “When you guys do interviews, y’all should respect athletes more,” she urged the press. “Y’all should understand them, coming from whether they’re winning, whether they’re losing… athletes deserve way more respect than when y’all just come and throw cameras into their faces… Be more understanding of the fact that they are still human.” Period.

Diana Turausi Calling Out Blatant Ageism

Diana, a basketball legend, is really fucking over people asking when she’s gonna retire, and I don’t blame her. “I’m here to compete, I’m here to play at a high level, I’m here to give to my teammates, and I’m here to win a gold medal,” she clarified during a Paris Olympics press conference. “Only a woman would have 20 years of experience and it’s an Achilles heel instead of something that is treasured and used as a way forward for our sport and for women. So hopefully we can change that narrative.” As they say in basketball, ~slam dunk~.

Noah Lyles Laughing At The Haters Criticizing His Painted Nails

Image Credit: Getty

The track and field star is very unbothered by the backlash his gorgeous Paris Olympics nails have received. “I’m a person who knows that a lot of people have different opinions and they have them for different reasons,” he told Us Weekly. “To be honest, I’m so confident in myself that it doesn’t really matter. I think it’s funny at times.” I’m laughing at them with you, Noah.

Ilona Maher Vowing To Always Stand Up For Herself

The rugby superstar and body positivity queen doesn’t believe in letting bullies get away with stupid and hurtful shit. In an Insta reel, she replied to a loser who was attempting to roast her by guessing her BMI (Body Mass Index). Ilona explained in her video that BMI isn’t actually a helpful measurement for athletes, and she pointed out that she’s the one at the Olympics. “jUsT iGnOrE tHe hAtErS,” she wrote in her caption. “No, thank you. As long as people keep commenting dumb stuff I will continue to clap back and stand up for myself.” I couldn’t approve this message more.