Rio 2016: Viewers defend Mexican gymnast Alexa Moreno from body-shaming trolls

The 20-year-old is a former world championship finalist

(Getty)

People are rallying behind a Mexican gymnast who was reportedly trolled for her body shape after competing at the Olympics.

Alexa Moreno represented her country in the uneven bars, floor exercise, beam, vault and all-around gymnastic heats on Sunday at the Rio games but failed to qualify to the final rounds, finishing in 31st place.

Like a number of women competing professionally in sport events, her body has come under scrutiny.

Moreno's physique was insulted by some on Twitter despite weighing just 99lbs after watching her compete on day two of the games, reports Buzzfeed.

But dozens have rushed to defend Moreno and her supporters far outnumbered the trolls. Several of the original body shaming tweets also appear to have been deleted.

Moreno has represented Mexico in gymnastics for several years and in 2014 finished seventh in the vault final at the world championships.