Elizabeth Manley Is Not Apologizing: Body Image and Mental Health in Sports

Figure skater Elizabeth Manley was mercilessly criticized and fat-shamed in the lead-up to the 1988 Winter Olympic Games. She nonetheless persevered and triumphed, winning a silver medal and proving her critics wrong. Hear how she fought back and what she’s doing now to help other athletes rise above similar pressures. Her Olympic team jacket is part of the collection at the Canadian Museum of History. It illustrates the patriotism and fame that comes with elite athletic performance, but her story shows that some sports and athletes are singled out for unfair and harmful treatment. 

Transcript: https://www.historymuseum.ca/dod/podcasts/transcripts/s02e05

Canadian Museum of History Blog: “Elizabeth Manley Is Not Apologizing: Body Image and Mental Health in Sports”: https://www.historymuseum.ca/blog/artifactuality-elizabeth-manley