Tour de France presenter subjected to horrific messages but vows to 'keep fighting'
Tour de France presenter Orla Chennaoui has opened up on the abuse she has received online while presenting the world's biggest bicycle race.
Chennaoui is currently the host of The Breakaway on Eurosport/GCN, where she previews and breakdowns the day's action. However, she is keen to make sure the comments don't knock her confidence, and is instead focused on the messages of support.
She had taken to social media to slam the trolls who have criticised her online while sharing some of the vile messages received. She said: "I don’t know why, but the trolls come out hard during the Tour de France. This year seems worse than ever.
"I didn’t want to include the worst of the messages...I know many people will say ‘don’t give them the time of day’ or ‘you’re only posting these for attention’, because I get that reaction every time I highlight the misogyny and hatred that I, and many other women, face online."
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Though determined to look at the positives, she added: "I want to turn it around and say to the people who give love and support across the board on here and beyond, to those who take the time to be nice to whoever you see on your timeline and in your daily lives, I see you.
"I see you and I thank you and the world is a better place for you sharing your energy in a positive way. And you more than cancel out all the hatred."
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Chennaoui continued, as she spoke about some of the challenges women in the broadcasting industry face, and she called for change. The Irish presenter added: "Until then, keep fighting the good fight people. Because those who ‘get’ it, make the rest of it bearable!"
Monday marked the first rest day for the Tour de France, with defending champion Jonas Vingegaard in yellow. However, the Dane knows he's been in a battle, with Tadej Pogacar twice breaking him in the mountains.
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