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Manchester, United Kingdom: Jamaican sprinter Junel Blomfield has spoken out about the abuse she suffered at the recent Paris Olympics over her relationship with newly crowned Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles.
The 26-year-old world and Olympic medallist has been harassed on social media by Jamaicans who have called her a “traitor” for dating the American sprinter and even sent death threats.
“I really thought colourism was over in Jamaica, especially as a country with a large black population,” Blomfield said in a lengthy post on Instagram on Friday.
“I’ve been cyberbullied for weeks and I call myself a liar when people call me a liar,” she added in the post, which included several screenshots of abusive comments.
“I could go on a rant but I’m just here to tell all the girls/women on my profile that you are beautiful no matter your skin color, shape or size and for little black girls out there don’t wait for someone to tell you you are beautiful to believe it.”
Blomfield has been dating Lyles since 2022, but she failed to make the women’s 400m semifinals in Paris. She was part of the Jamaican 4x400m relay team that won silver at the 2022 World Championships and bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Lyles defended Blomfield, posting on Instagram last week that what was more impressive than Blomfield’s athletic achievements was “how she dealt with the sheer disrespect and hatred directed toward her from her own country.”
He wrote: “This woman’s attackers have never met her, heard her name, seen her smile, or even heard of her beliefs.”
On Friday, several Olympians responded to Broomfield’s post to show their support.
“Thank you for using your platform to share this news,” wrote Olympic 200m champion Gabrielle Thomas. “We know you are one of the most beautiful ladies on the track, but what’s more important is how dazzling you are as a person and how you light up a room.”
Olympic gold medalist in the women’s long jump Tara Davis-Woodhall added: “They wish they could be you.”
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