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Backlash over supermodels’ role in Closing Ceremony

The Olympics Closing Ceremony is supposed to be a celebration of the athletes who, for the last 17 days, have shed blood, sweat and tears with the goal of winning glory and bringing pride to their nations (also, it's a giant party).

Still, it was a bit of a head-scratcher when London's ceremony included a segment that put the spotlight on … supermodels.

Rail-thin, slightly unhealthy-looking supermodels, with complicated histories. Great Britain's Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell led the catwalk contingent that paid homage to British designers such as Alexander McQueen and Victoria Beckham.

[ Photos: 2012 London Games' Closing Ceremony ]

The Twitter-verse exploded with disapproval. Moss, who allegedly used drugs in 2005, in particular took some heat.

@piersmorgan: I suspect Kate Moss might fail her drugs test later.

@Martin_Lewis: A fortnight of celebrating drug free, hard working role models. The #closingceremony is being, lets say, slightly less picky.

But Tweeters' main complaint was to ask what kind of message it sends to feature anorexic-looking women after seeing the accomplishments of healthy, muscular women.

@ElliottAlmond: Go SuperModels go. Win a medal. Eat.

@olyphil: We're celebrating anorexic women who do nothing but stand and look beautiful. Fashion show. STOOOOOOOOPID

@rebeccakesby1: Sorry why have we got super models in the closing ceremony when we've had so many REAL women over last two weeks????

@S_A_Somerville: Never mind supermodels. Catherine Grainger, Jess Ennis, Rebecca Adlington, Victoria Pendleton r role models #closingceremony shld highlight.

@DrEvanHarris: Ah yes, too-thin fashion models at #closingceremony. Rather lost out in "wannabee" wars to healthy looking women during #London2012

Brazil featured its own supermodel in its segment during the closing ceremony, Victoria's Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio. If walking the catwalk was an Olympic event, Brazil could boast an imposing supermodel lineup of its own, led by Giselle and Adriana Lima.

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