Great Britain's most successful female Olympian Laura Trott has leapt to the defence of her sister, who has come under fire after a perceived lack of enthusiasm during an interview with British media.
New Zealand-based Emma Trott, 26, was labelled bitter and jealous following the interview about her sister's Olympic success.
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Laura Trott defends sister's TV interview
Emma Trott, sister of Olympian Laura Trott was labelled 'bitter' on social media after she said she had been working during her sister's winning race.
Her sister claimed her fourth Olympic gold medal earlier this week. The medal, paired with her relationship with fellow British track cyclist Jason Kenny, who claimed his sixth gold medal at Rio, has made the 24-year-old a darling of the British media.
Emma Trott, who had her own cycling career from 2009 to 2014, faced backlash on social media after telling a British interviewer that she was working during her sister's race.
"Laura's not worked any harder than anybody else, everyone works hard to get to the level in which them 24 riders were at," she said.
"But it was the hours of sacrifice, not just that we made from not going to school discos or going out with friends or the sacrifices that mum and dad made for us.
"The amount of times that Laura kicked up a fuss on hills because dad and I were dropping her [and said] "if you don't slow down I'm going to ring mum, she can come and pick me up".
"I think back to them moments and I think how on earth was she the one that made it to be Olympic champion, you know."
The personal trainer was criticised after comments that she had been working during her sister's race.
"I was working, so I'm self-employed, so if I don't work then I don't make no money" she said.
"I turned up to one house and he just looked at me and said 'Emma, it's on the TV'. I had a few tears in my eyes, which was a little bit embarrassing when you're in front of a client."
Her interview sparked criticism online, with some branding her jealous, and bitter about her sister's success.
Get the violins out for Emma Trott, maybe a crowd funder for a thick blanket? It's obviously very cold in her sisters shadow 🎻🎻🎻 #jealous
— Tom Howarth (@Sirbobbyliveson) August 17, 2016
Someone needs to tell Emma Trott that there are more flavours than salty. Jealousy is ugly.
— Anthonyyy (@AnthonyKicks) August 17, 2016
@GMB Laura Trott had better hide the knives from her sister, one might end up in her back!
— DaKeB (@Dakeb_MCFC) August 17, 2016
But Laura Trott came to her sister's defence.
1/3 Reading some nasty messages re my sister this morning.. Bitter, Jelous? If only you people knew! She is one of my biggest supporters
— Laura Trott (@LauraTrott31) August 17, 2016
To me I am just her sister! I am not a 'hero' a 'celebrity'.. Shes been there for me through thick and thin!! She was my idol growing up..
— Laura Trott (@LauraTrott31) August 17, 2016
Yes she was working while I raced! I'm sure a lot of people who care about me were? I love my sister to the moon, so all u nasty people #shh
— Laura Trott (@LauraTrott31) August 17, 2016
I love you @EmmaTrott1989 thats all that matters right 😚 X
— Laura Trott (@LauraTrott31) August 17, 2016
Emma Trott turned to Facebook to set the record straight, writing: "Everyone keeps asking if I am proud of Laura Trott, which is kind of a silly question, because of course the answer is yes".
Everyone keeps asking if I am proud of Laura Trott, which is kind of a silly question, because of course the answer is...
Posted by Emma Trott on Sunday, August 14, 2016
And those who take a look through Emma Trott's social media history have plenty of evidence of the sincerity of Emma Trott's statement. She has a long series of posts with messages of support for her younger sister well before the interview was filmed.
Well.... @LauraTrott31 and the team sure did crush that! #proud
Posted by Emma Trott on Saturday, August 13, 2016
Wishing @LauraTrott31 heaps of luck for the final tonight. I would say I'm sending my speedy legs but I haven't got an ounce of speed in me!
Posted by Emma Trott on Saturday, August 13, 2016
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