It’s not exactly strange for a woman to be body-shamed — in fact, it’s almost the norm — but rarely do we hear of athletes going through the same thing. But three-time gold medal gymnast Alexandra Raisman reminded us that it can happen to everybody, and that it probably does.
Raisman was going through airport security when one of the men working there decided to make a comment about her muscles — or, in his opinion, her lack thereof.
Lady at TSA: "Gymnast? I recognized u by ur biceps"
Man at TSA: "I don't see any muscles" & continues 2 stare at me
How rude & uncomfortable— Alexandra Raisman (@Aly_Raisman) May 24, 2017
She went on to explain just what was so wrong with his comment, which may have seemed innocent to some people.
If u are a man who can't compliment a girls 💪🏻 you are sexist. Get over yourself. Are u kidding me? It's 2017. When will this change?
— Alexandra Raisman (@Aly_Raisman) May 24, 2017
I work very hard to be healthy & fit. The fact that a man thinks he judge my arms pisses me off I am so sick of this judgmental generation.
— Alexandra Raisman (@Aly_Raisman) May 24, 2017
He was very rude. Staring at me shaking his head like it couldn't be me because I didn't look "strong enough" to him? Not cool.
— Alexandra Raisman (@Aly_Raisman) May 24, 2017
Of course, people on Twitter came up with some good comebacks she could’ve used on the dude.
https://twitter.com/BenLipinski/status/867463785866547200
Next time, smack him upside the head with your gold medal.
— Donna Leinwand Leger (@DonnaLeinwand) May 24, 2017
tell the TSA man "That's funny, I don't see any sense of respect or human decency"
— dani (@trulymadlydani) May 24, 2017
If this ever happens again, tell him you got the muscles from carrying around your 6 Olympic medals 🤷🏻♀️💕
— Cassie (@CassieWangler) May 24, 2017
Really, why does some dude who works at the airport think he has any room to judge an Olympic athlete?
https://twitter.com/mleenolds/status/867454483873353730
when you don't recognize your country's Olympic champions pic.twitter.com/TMSjnWhBcz
— Cam (@OfClanMurr) May 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/shastily/status/867449192972550144
I want to say I’m surprised, but after 23 years of life, I can honestly say I am an expert at understanding body-shaming, as is every woman who has ever stepped outside of their house for more than five minutes at a time.
when will men Stop
— mustdefine (@mustdefine) May 24, 2017
Gymnasts: they’re just like us. At least, they are in the way that even they can’t escape body-shaming and sexism, but that’s enough for me. 
