You know what irks me about the Olympics... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Bootsy Whoosh · 02-11-2002, 05:01 AM

Sometimes I think that women athletes still don't get the respect they deserve. Case in point: I just saw a commerical for the Olympics, and the voice over guy said "America has it's strongest team in years!" and then they proceded to profile 4 male athletes that I have never ever heard of.

Meanwhile, the only American to have won gold so far was a woman (Kelly Clark), and quite arguably the most famous skiier in recent American history is female. (Picabo Street)

Now sure, they do a good job of profiling the women, and they probably interview the women the same amount and all, and surely they've come a long way, but when it comes down to it, if they are pressed for time, (as in a commercial), the men are deemed more important.

It reminds me of my high school pep rallies, where everyone always fell all over the boys soccer team, and the boys' golf team, which both sucked, whereas the girls' soccer team, and the girls' golf team which went to State every year barely got cheered at all!

Kitt · 02-11-2002, 11:39 AM

That's true Bootsy. I wouldn't confine your complaint to the olympics though. It's that way all over as they say. Being a distance runner has helped to give me due respect for women athletes and women in general. We all run and race side by side and know what it takes to run and compete well. I know personally or indirectly many tremendous women runners. It's irritating to see the undercurrent of the male superiority myth continue still.

Cokies · 02-11-2002, 07:00 PM

I don't know, it always seemed to me that the Winter Olympics were centered on women. I mean, the biggest story at this Olympics is if Michelle Kwan will finally take home a gold. I mean, if she doesn't, I'm betting on a nervous breakdown of some sort.
And Picabo Street has always been recognized, especially this year, since it is her last Olympic Games.
Do you remember who won the luge four years ago? No, of course not.
But of course, you remember who won the gold in ice skating. (Tara Lipinski), and how many times Bonnie Blair won a medal in speed skating (too many to count).
Yes, most of the attention is centered on women's figure skating, but it's still the most popular sport at the Winter Games. I mean, who can forget 94? Kerrigan, her knee. Harding, her club and her broken gold skate. It gets attention.
And the summer Olympics are just as remembered. Kerri Strug in 96' and the rest of the Women's Gymnastic team. Cathy Freeman in the most recent Austrailia games. Just to name a few...

Maybe the women don't get the same amount of attention, but they do get some...

Kitt · 02-11-2002, 09:53 PM

One thing about television, what sells is what's on. Liike the womens soccer ream was hugely covered and Marion Jones the sprinter was also. I haven't been watching these olymics yet so I don't really know how it's going with the coverage.

02-11-2002, 05:01 AM	#1
Bootsy Whoosh Storms abrewin'... Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2001 Location: The Alpha Quadrant, Sector 001 Posts: 2,104	You know what irks me about the Olympics... Sometimes I think that women athletes still don't get the respect they deserve. Case in point: I just saw a commerical for the Olympics, and the voice over guy said "America has it's strongest team in years!" and then they proceded to profile 4 male athletes that I have never ever heard of. Meanwhile, the only American to have won gold so far was a woman (Kelly Clark), and quite arguably the most famous skiier in recent American history is female. (Picabo Street) Now sure, they do a good job of profiling the women, and they probably interview the women the same amount and all, and surely they've come a long way, but when it comes down to it, if they are pressed for time, (as in a commercial), the men are deemed more important. It reminds me of my high school pep rallies, where everyone always fell all over the boys soccer team, and the boys' golf team, which both sucked, whereas the girls' soccer team, and the girls' golf team which went to State every year barely got cheered at all!
	__________________ Watch your thoughts; they become your words. Watch your words; they become your actions. Watch your actions; they become your habits. Watch your habits; they become your character. Watch your character for it will become your destiny. - unknown Last edited by Bootsy Whoosh; 02-11-2002 at 05:08 AM.

02-11-2002, 11:39 AM	#2
Kitt James Dean Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 16, 2001 Location: California Dreamin' Posts: 6,115	Women runners That's true Bootsy. I wouldn't confine your complaint to the olympics though. It's that way all over as they say. Being a distance runner has helped to give me due respect for women athletes and women in general. We all run and race side by side and know what it takes to run and compete well. I know personally or indirectly many tremendous women runners. It's irritating to see the undercurrent of the male superiority myth continue still.

02-11-2002, 07:00 PM	#3
Cokies Head Goonie Senior Member Join Date: Oct 28, 2000 Location: Benicia, CA USA Posts: 1,719	I don't know, it always seemed to me that the Winter Olympics were centered on women. I mean, the biggest story at this Olympics is if Michelle Kwan will finally take home a gold. I mean, if she doesn't, I'm betting on a nervous breakdown of some sort. And Picabo Street has always been recognized, especially this year, since it is her last Olympic Games. Do you remember who won the luge four years ago? No, of course not. But of course, you remember who won the gold in ice skating. (Tara Lipinski), and how many times Bonnie Blair won a medal in speed skating (too many to count). Yes, most of the attention is centered on women's figure skating, but it's still the most popular sport at the Winter Games. I mean, who can forget 94? Kerrigan, her knee. Harding, her club and her broken gold skate. It gets attention. And the summer Olympics are just as remembered. Kerri Strug in 96' and the rest of the Women's Gymnastic team. Cathy Freeman in the most recent Austrailia games. Just to name a few... Maybe the women don't get the same amount of attention, but they do get some...
	__________________ "It was just like Saturday Night Fever, except it was a Friday" - Jo Polniaczek

02-11-2002, 09:53 PM	#4
Kitt James Dean Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 16, 2001 Location: California Dreamin' Posts: 6,115	One thing about television, what sells is what's on. Liike the womens soccer ream was hugely covered and Marion Jones the sprinter was also. I haven't been watching these olymics yet so I don't really know how it's going with the coverage.