Gabby Douglas Bullied: Mom Comes To Olympian"s Defense

Gabby Douglas went from America’s Sweetheart to persona non grata after some were offended she didn’t put her hand over her heart while the National Anthem played at gymnastics medal ceremony.

The Olympian’s mom Natalie Hawkins, is sick of the bullying, and spoke to Reuters about the hell Douglas, 20, is being put through.

“She’s had to deal with people criticizing her hair, or people accusing her of bleaching her skin. They said she had breast enhancements, they said she wasn’t smiling enough, she’s unpatriotic.

“Then it went to not supporting your team mates. Now you’re ‘Crabby Gabby’,” Hawkins said.

Last week during the medal ceremony for the all-around finals, Douglas stood to attention wile the National Anthem played rather than put her hand over her heart.  

“I don’t think respecting your country or your flag boils down to whether you put your hand over your heart or not,” Hawkins said. “When the Star Spangled Banner is played, most military members either salute or stand to attention.”

“We grew up in the military community. My mom spent almost 30 years in the military, my dad’s a two-time Vietnam vet. Because of that it was so insulting that they would accuse my daughter of being unpatriotic when we are so tied to the military family.”

Hawkins can’t understand why Douglas is being dragged through the mud.

“You name it and she got trampled. What did she ever do to anyone?”

View Slideshow: Simone Biles: Olympian Crushes On Zac Efron, Efron Crushes Right Back

The stress from being constantly criticized is getting to Douglas, according to her mother.

“What was going through her head was ‘I’m being attacked for everything I do so I might as well not do anything. Because no matter what I do, I am being attacked."”

The bullying has gotten to Douglas, who hasn’t done as well during these Olympic games aside from winning gold with her teammates.

View Slideshow: Gabby Douglas: Disappointed in Rio, Hot on Instagram

Ryan Lochte, 3 Olympians Robbed at Gunpoint in Rio

Ryan Lochte has confirmed that he and three other members of the United States Swim Team were robbed this morning in Rio de Janeiro.

The four swimmers – a group that also included Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen – were in a taxi headed for the Olympic Village when the incident occurred, according the the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Patrick Sandusky, a spokesman for the organization, explained what happened via the following statement:

“According to four members of the U.S. Olympic Swimming Team, they left France House early Sunday morning in a taxi headed for the Olympic Village.

“Their taxi was stopped by individuals posing as armed police officers who demanded the athletes’ money and other personal belongings.”

Concluded Sandusky:

“All four athletes are safe and cooperating with authorities.”

Lochte’s mother, Ileana Lochte, also spoke to USA Today of the incident.

“I think they’re all shaken up. There were a few of them,” she told the newspaper. “No, they were just, they just took their wallets and basically that was it.”

A 12-time Olympic medalist, Lochte won one gold medal during the Rio Games.

He wrapped up his 2016 Olympic experience on Thursday night.

Lochte himself, meanwhile, described the robbery to NBC on Sunday afternoon.

“We got pulled over, in the taxi, and these guys came out with a badge, a police badge, no lights, no nothing just a police badge and they pulled us over.

“They pulled out their guns, they told the other swimmers to get down on the ground – they got down on the ground.

“I refused, I was like we didn’t do anything wrong, so – I’m not getting down on the ground.

“And then the guy pulled out his gun, he cocked it, put it to my forehead and he said, ‘Get down,’ and I put my hands up, I was like ‘whatever.’

“He took our money, he took my wallet – he left my cell phone, he left my credentials.”

Damn. Scary stuff.

Police officials have told NBC News they weren’t contacted about the incident, but they are available to help the athletes if necessary.

When news of the robbery first hit, an IOC spokesperson denied that it took place.

This spokesperson has since acknowledged that it took place, claiming he didn’t have pertinent information upon first making the denial.

View Slideshow: 19 Scandalous Sports Stories

In a recent interview with E! News, the 32-year-old said he needed a break from swimming.

He said he was unsure if he would complete four years from now in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

“Going in day in and day out just beating up your body, it takes a toll. Being at the age I am now, it’s definitely time that I need a break, but I can’t say it’s over,” he said.

Taking advantage of his fame after the 2012 Olympics Games in London, Lochte signed on for What Would Ryan Lochte Do?.

This E! reality series, which chronicled life for Ryan Lochte as the single and somewhat goofy Ryan Lochte, lasted just one season.

We wish Lochte well.

Ryan Lochte, 3 Olympians Robbed at Gunpoint in Rio

Ryan Lochte has confirmed that he and three other members of the United States Swim Team were robbed this morning in Rio de Janeiro.

The four swimmers – a group that also included Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen – were in a taxi headed for the Olympic Village when the incident occurred, according the the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Patrick Sandusky, a spokesman for the organization, explained what happened via the following statement:

“According to four members of the U.S. Olympic Swimming Team, they left France House early Sunday morning in a taxi headed for the Olympic Village.

“Their taxi was stopped by individuals posing as armed police officers who demanded the athletes’ money and other personal belongings.”

Concluded Sandusky:

“All four athletes are safe and cooperating with authorities.”

Lochte’s mother, Ileana Lochte, also spoke to USA Today of the incident.

“I think they’re all shaken up. There were a few of them,” she told the newspaper. “No, they were just, they just took their wallets and basically that was it.”

A 12-time Olympic medalist, Lochte won one gold medal during the Rio Games.

He wrapped up his 2016 Olympic experience on Thursday night.

Lochte himself, meanwhile, described the robbery to NBC on Sunday afternoon.

“We got pulled over, in the taxi, and these guys came out with a badge, a police badge, no lights, no nothing just a police badge and they pulled us over.

“They pulled out their guns, they told the other swimmers to get down on the ground – they got down on the ground.

“I refused, I was like we didn’t do anything wrong, so – I’m not getting down on the ground.

“And then the guy pulled out his gun, he cocked it, put it to my forehead and he said, ‘Get down,’ and I put my hands up, I was like ‘whatever.’

“He took our money, he took my wallet – he left my cell phone, he left my credentials.”

Damn. Scary stuff.

Police officials have told NBC News they weren’t contacted about the incident, but they are available to help the athletes if necessary.

When news of the robbery first hit, an IOC spokesperson denied that it took place.

This spokesperson has since acknowledged that it took place, claiming he didn’t have pertinent information upon first making the denial.

View Slideshow: 19 Scandalous Sports Stories

In a recent interview with E! News, the 32-year-old said he needed a break from swimming.

He said he was unsure if he would complete four years from now in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

“Going in day in and day out just beating up your body, it takes a toll. Being at the age I am now, it’s definitely time that I need a break, but I can’t say it’s over,” he said.

Taking advantage of his fame after the 2012 Olympics Games in London, Lochte signed on for What Would Ryan Lochte Do?.

This E! reality series, which chronicled life for Ryan Lochte as the single and somewhat goofy Ryan Lochte, lasted just one season.

We wish Lochte well.