A TEENAGE Ethiopian runner has been cruelly mocked by callous Twitter trolls – simply because they think she looks older than 16.

The abuse started after Girmawit Gebrzihair won the bronze medal in the 5,000m race at the World Under-20 Championships which started today in Tampere, Finland.

2 Girmawit Gebrzihair of Ethiopia, right, came third in the 5,000m women's race Credit: Getty Images - Getty

Despite her stated birth date of November 21, 2001 some on social media didn’t believe this and took aim at the teenager.

So far, no one has produced a shred of evidence that her birth date is false.

One cruel commentator wrote: “16? That woman has lived through the American Civil War, two world wars and saw Pele's Brazil lift the 1970 World Cup.”

Another said: “That's Benjamin Button's cousin.”

2 Commentators did not believe she was 16 Credit: Twitter

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 Alansari (@kaluo777) July 12, 2018

Meet 16 years old Ethiopian athlete

Girmawit Gebrzihair

She was born on November 10, 2001.

Incredible isn't it? pic.twitter.com/ZS2EpGlkGZ — EddyKayOfficial (@EdwardGyasi) July 12, 2018

A third added: “Is there no other way of controlling these things apart from looking at a passport? It is hard to believe.”

Also taking aim at the runner was Spanish sprinter Oscar Husillos, 24.

He tweeted a picture of Gebrzihair with the caption, in Spanish, saying: “Her children and grandchildren are in the stands to see her run in the World U20 Championships.”

Husillos has since deleted the tweet and posted a string of messages saying it was taken “out of context” and his words had been “misinterpreted”.

MOST READ IN WORLD NEWS Exclusive 'NIGHTMARE' Terrified BA crew detained in 'prison camp' Covid quarantine in Hong Kong JOHNNY ROTTEN Cops seize 324,000 used condoms being washed & sold as NEW in Vietnam raid LASHED TO BITS Paedo collapses as he’s caned 52 times after being sentenced to 169 lashes CREEPY CRAWLERS Dozens of horrifying 3ft-long robber crabs invade family's campsite BBQ 'MUST ACT NOW' France sees highest daily covid infections as 16,096 test positive in a day DAD FROM HELL Jealous dad kills breastfeeding baby after poisoning 'cheating' wife

The sick jokes are reminiscent of abuse targeted at South African runner Caster Semenya.

Trolls mocked her and suggested she shouldn’t be allowed to compete as a woman because of her high testosterone levels, caused by medical condition hyperandrogenism.

Gebrzihair finished third behind her compatriot Ejgayehu Taye and Kenyan athlete Beatrice Chebet, who took gold in the 5,000m final.

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.