Olympic star at centre of shock lingerie campaign speaks out and stands her ground - The Mirror

Ellie Boatman has long been transparent about her disordered eating battle and says it is vital for Olympic stars to be open and honest with fans online

Ellie Boatman insists there is a responsibility for Olympians to show their vulnerable side - and avoid creating a sunshine and rainbows presence online.

The rugby sevens star has bravely documented past battles with disordered eating on TikTok in an attempt to help young women confront their own potential issues.

And, at the end of a week in which an advertising campaign she features in caused heated debate across women’s sport, the 27-year-old says: “For me it’s about being as open as I can so I can be relatable to younger girls looking up to me.”

The Strong is Beautiful campaign has been run by a lingerie brand with no affiliation to Team GB - meaning any attempt to ask Boatman about the mixed reaction is immediately shut down.

Sharron Davies and Martina Navratilova have been among those to say the advert, featuring Boatman and two team-mates on a pitch in underwear, is “regressive.”

Yet, speaking generally about using her voice, it becomes clear how passionate Boatman is to “celebrate who I am and being a strong woman with muscle rather than shying away from it.”

Her intention has always been to promote body positivity and urge people following her online to speak up whether they are battling an eating disorder or merely lacking confidence.

“It’s important to show that a lot of us have been through different things,” she says, speaking to promote official Team GB partner TikTok. “If I’m going to speak out about things on my platform, maybe other girls will reach out to their friends or parents and say they are feeling this way and it’s not normal.

“It’s about being proud of who we are as well. We have a responsibility to celebrate that. On social media there are so many bodies perfectly edited and shown in different lights that aren’t real. For us it’s about showing what our lives are like in a real, transparent way - that is super important.”

She also has an additional personal motivation heading to France after her mum was diagnosed with endometrial cancer earlier this year.

The family recently found out she has been allowed to delay chemotherapy treatment so she can be at Stade de France to watch her daughter’s charge for gold.

Boatman says “it’s been hard, feeling guilty at being away from home” when on training camps or competing across Europe when her mum has been in and out of hospital.

But for the entire family to be present in Paris means the world. “They know this is my dream and they’ve been really supportive towards that,” she adds. “We thought she wouldn’t be allowed to come because of the chemotherapy but her doctor has moved it around so she can come.

“That will make it so special and emotional for us. It’s providing me with extra motivation. I’m doing this not just for me but my family as well.”