Happy Monday! Mine if off to a great start and I have a to-do list that is a mile long. But you know what? I am no anxious to get it done, I am excited! That doesn’t happen often which means I got to start on it asap. I am also excited about this topic I have planned for the day.
I started writing this last week to be honest, but I got so hot in the face, I had to put it down, walk away and approach it again later. That later is today! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts.
I didn’t realize that the Olympic committed had approved a new event:
The Olympic Pageant
And that you have no choice but to partake. If you’re in the games, you’re in the pageant.
I think there is one thing that everyone can agree on. If you’re in the olympics, your the top of your sport and in great shape. Am I right?
I ask this because the worlds top athletes received way too much hell for the way their bodies and faces looked. In regards to their bodies, sly comments from the media were made implying that several didn’t “look” in good enough shape to compete at all.
News flash people: they all had to go through trials, and if they’re at the games then clearly they have earned the right. No matter what their bodies or faces look like.
This really gets under my skin. First off, who were those that were (and are) passing judgements? They were spectators… spectators! If they are in such great shape themselves then why not climb down and partake in some Olympic action?
A bit harsh?
What can I say, it infuriates me to see such devoted athletes feel the pressures that society places on women to look “perfect.” What is perfect for a world class athlete anyway?
Sure we have an image of 6 pack abs, 12% body fat, and the overall musculature of a Greek Goddess but is this unrealistic? Hell yes it is. Yes there are exceptions, Lolo Jones and Allyson Felix are amazing to look at. I dream of having their abs.
But enough of the “perfects”, who are the athletes getting scrutinized for their bodies?
Volleyball:
These women have grown up at the games. Just receiving their 3rd gold medal and remaining undefeated for their career. That speaks loud and clear of their skills, however they have been in the spot light for adding on some weight over the years and people wondered if it would affect their games. Clearly not.
While people were complaining about their extra baggage in their bikinis, others were complaining about their long sleeve athletic tops worn at the start of the games on a chilly night. How dare they cover up their skin to keep their muscles warm? Wear too little and get made fun of, wear too much and get made fun of. At least they had the last laugh when they had the gold placed around their necks.
Gymnastics.
Definitely not the first time this sport has raised eyebrows for body image. It’s had a lifetime of girls trying to get the perfect body for flying, jumping, splitting, and flipping. While weight and height have made headlines in the past, I can’t believe what made the news this year.
Gabby Douglas, All-around gold medalist, was scrutinized for her hair. Her HAIR. Comments flew around the social media world that it looked dry, messy and unkept. Seriously people? She just performed a “triple something something something” to win a gold medal in one of the most “awe-inspiring” sports.
Swimming.
Australia’s female swimmer, Leisel Jones, had the spotlight turned on her when people started calling her overweight and questioning her ability to keep up with the rest of the field. In fact an newspaper in her own country ran a poll asking readers if they thought she looked fit enough to compete. You better believe her teamates stood by her side:
“I’m embarrassed by the Aussie media having a go at Leisel, one of Australia’s greatest Olympians. Support athletes don’t drag them down,” fellow swimmer Melanie Schlanger tweeted.
And yes, she did medal this year.
It didn’t stop there, at the games which was titled “The Women’s Olympics” because of all the female spotlights to help inspire young women to partake, no one was spared from the beauty bash.
- The entire Brazilian soccer team was refered to as a “bit heavy” by another team’s coach!
- British weightlifting Zoe Smith stood up against tweets saying she looked like a lesbian!
Maybe this is just me, but I think the Olympics are a time to celebrate all athletes that made it to the games in the first place. They have dedicated their lives to sports. These girls are not at the games to participate in a fashion show or be judged for their physical looks. They’re there to show off their talents in their events. The end.
SO I turn it to you, do you think it’s fair for the media to treat these girls as if they are on the latest season of America’s Next Top Model?
It’s not just the media either. Rumor has it that their are a few athletes being seconded out by their own teammates because they get more attention. For example, Lolo Jones. She is gorgeous! She was recently brought to tears by fellow teammates who say that she didn’t deserve to be at the games at all. That her media attention was unfair. The girl was a NATIONAL champion. ‘Nough said.
Well, okay not enough. To be honest it was all the media attention that Lolo received that got me wanting to watch the hurdles in the first place. And I know I am not the only one. If anything, those teammates should be thanking her.
Now that the girls are back at home, where does this leave them? Not only thinking about how to prepare for 2016, but trying to build their confidence up in the way they look? Hopefully, they’re feeling on top of the world, and these comments just rolled off like water.
I know this isn’t my normal blog style, but I have to get it off my chest. Let’s start focusing in the skills of these athletes instead of their make-up, hair brushing abilities, and weight.
I would love to hear your thoughts! I think this should stir up a lot of opinions! So please don’t be shy.
Sources:
- Fat? We’re Fit Get Over it
- People Criticizing These Olympic Athletes
- Image: Women’s Olymics
- Image: Volleyball
- Image: Lolo
- Image: Leisel
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I was watching the closing ceremony with some fit, intelligent (and hot!) men last night and heard their thoughts on female bodies. When the models came out there were jokes made about lack-of-breasts, needing to eat more burgers and quit using drugs, etc. While I don’t promote making fun of anyone, I was happy to hear one say: “those girls do nothing for me, I would much rather see the fit olympians in the room.”
I hate that these athletes are being scrutinized… They are incredible, dedicated, and driven! They are REAL role models.
That’s nice to hear the boys perspective of things! Thanks Sarah.
We live in a culture obsessed with looks. This is proven by the way these women athletes were treated. It is amazing that they would be judged on their looks rather than their dedication and skills. So sad! I’m with you – it is unfair and a sad commentary on our culture. I think this “distorted” mindset is fueled by the media we are subjected to 24/7. I think these women look great! Having recently watched the Women’s Cross Fit competition I was impressed at their toned bodies – to me, a fit woman is very attractive. It is commendable when you think of the time and effort invested to build those bodies that so many criticize. It makes me mad just thinking about the treatment these women received.
How did you like the Crossfit games? Thanks for sharing, distorted mindset if for sure in the media. Take that Miley C. is top of the google and twitter world because she cut her hair off. Forget all the real news going on. Ugh.
“News flash people: they all had to go through trials, and if they’re at the games then clearly they have earned the right. No matter what their bodies or faces look like.”
THIS. Ugh, it makes me so cranky to hear body snarking of any kind, but ESPECIALLY towards women who work their asses off to be incredible athletes. I don’t hear these dialogues happening as viciously towards male athletes.
People are always trying to make good things look bad and bad things look good. What does physical attractivess have to do with the fact that these incredible women are the best in their sports and represented their nations well?! Gabby Douglas even made history! HISTORY!! Hello!!!
Exactly!
I have to admit we did comment on the headlights that were clearly visible on the women divers. I think they had awesome strong bodies but could have used a little bit of lining in their swimsuits. Mostly I was impressed by the muscles that you could see on all the athletes – abs on the runners, leg muscles on gymnasts – super impressive.
lol, I think thats a fair enough observation, lol. I agree I think swim suits and sports bras should be double lined for the headlight issue!
I live in UK and followed Olympics ‘religiously’and never find any of these comments in British media . They took the preparation and running of the Games too seriously to be preoccupied with so shallow thing like looks of the athletes . Although it’s diffucult not to notice if a women is beautiful , so with ‘ tongue in cheek’ they declared , after the Games , the most beautiful female athlete , they never will allow themselves to do it during them.
That’s interesting. It’s one thing to declare the most beautiful athlete, it’s another however, to declare the most unattractive ones like they seemed to be doing in other countries. Someone can handle “you’re gorgeous”… it’s a different story when someone says “you’re fat and your hair is awful.”
I am glad to know it wasn’t like there over there where the athletes actually were.