Ethiopian runner shocks many after claiming she’s 16-years-old

Ethiopian runner Girmawit Gebrzihair has received a lot of criticism on social media for looking older than her age.

The trolls on Twitter started after the runner won a bronze medal in the 5,000m race at the World Under-20 Championships.

“16-year-old” Ethiopian world 5000m U-20 bronze medallist Girmawit Gebrzihair VS 16-year-old Alex Cyr. Where are her shades? Her Aeropostale t-shirt? AHA! This can only mean one thing.

She’s not 16. pic.twitter.com/QM2A509w1C

— Alex Cyr (@Cyresy_10) July 12, 2018

Hmmmmmm......really 16 years old? U20 (junior) athlete Girmawit Gebrzihair is bronze at world-juniors, and thus, by extension (IAAF profile) has run 32:33 on the roads at altitude as a 14 year old? Come on....https://t.co/ug8mdlfA2N pic.twitter.com/19vMrVXMNa— Trent Stellingwerff (@TStellingwerff) July 12, 2018

Here u go the bit of the day GIRMAWIT GEBRZIHAIR competing in women U20 claiming to be 16 !!!!
when i was 16 my friends didnt look like this , how have time changed ???????????? pic.twitter.com/4SD5DwYOvr

— Raul Ansari (@kaluo777) July 12, 2018

GIRMAWIT GEBRZIHAIR doesn’t look 16, but wypipo trolling her as if they don’t look like her by the time they’re 32.

— Peaches Jordan (@itsSusietoyou) July 15, 2018

This is Girmawit Gebrzihair of Ethiopia, the bronze medalist in the women’s 5k at the @iaaforg World Junior Championships. She is “16 years old” ........ thoughts? pic.twitter.com/KFcEQ4q1LY— Gray Horn (@Sprint4Gold) July 12, 2018

I would like to know myself. Closest I have seen to an explanation is that malnourishment can lead to premature aging. Most are just curious, thats what begets learning, asking questions. Such as why/how does a 16 year old look like that? #IAAFWorldU20 #IAAF Girmawit Gebrzihair

— Invisacol (@Invisacol) July 15, 2018

A 16 year old Ethiopian runner currently competing in the IAAF under 20, is being ridiculed for looking much older.

One Spanish athlete went as far saying that Girmawit Gebrzihair shouldn't be allowed to compete... https://t.co/aNlDc7FtXo— levin opiyo (@nyageri) July 13, 2018

at any rate here is what I want to say.. I have seen SOME ridicule of Girmawit Gebrzihair but MOST I have seen is just folks questioning & there is nothing wrong with that. If you gonna sit here and pretend that girl looks 16 you a damn lie #IAAFWorldU20 pic.twitter.com/Jcgnp4rQb7

— Invisacol (@Invisacol) July 15, 2018

A 16-year-old Ethiopian runner, Girmawit Gebrzihair (pictured), has been ridiculed online by social media users who say she looks too old to be competing in an under-20 competition

DO YOU AGREE? pic.twitter.com/hJqq3ERCSm— Real Wesonga. (@Real_Wesonga) July 15, 2018