Tonight is the night: the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics are set to begin. In the long tradition that is the Olympic games, athletes from around the world will come together to compete - not for money, or fame, all but few of these talented and skilled athletes will ever have their name on a billboard or box of cereal - they compete for the honor of representing their country, their home. They compete to show the skills that they have harnessed through extreme diligence, and much sacrifice. These athletes know aches and pains, and early mornings.
But, even so, for women who have grown up playing sports and idolizing female athletes that sting was lessened in some ways - while it can be confusing and difficult to deal with the pangs of puberty and a changing body, sports give young women and girls confidence; the field or the gymnasium create an empowering environment. Teamwork teaches us to leave "mean girl" behaviors behind, to work together, to communicate, and to rely on each other.
During the Olympic games the global community comes together, through good and bad, to celebrate this diligence, this sacrifice, and this talent.
U-S-A U-S-A, chant with me folks! Can't you feel the American spirit in the air?
But yet, woah is me.
Sochi, has had it's slew of politically motivated challenges. The Russian government's opposition to the rights of LGBT residents, as well as athletes, had left many questioning why the games equated with peace and unity are even being played in Russia.
But still… there's so much more to these games, and the publicity that surround that needs to be discussed.
Not only is the LGBT community under attack - fans, athletes, families - but so too are almost half of the athletes that will be participating in the Games.
While their orientation isn't the concern…. their sexuality and physicality is all the rage.
"Top 20 Sexiest Female Athletes" …. yea, this is a thing.
A CBS affiliate pays tribute to the women who have sacrificed their time and talents, by showcasing those that "can compete and look sexy while doing it." Gee, thanks...
Want more?
How about the all-but-soft-porn photo shoot recently published by the Russian government of some of their female athletes to showcase and highlight, not their athletic ability or national pride, but instead their alluring femininity.
Wait. What?
Wait… what…
#WAITWHAT
*Takes off earrings, and rings… stretches…*
No, I am not an Olympic athlete. No, I will never be known for my outstanding physical talent or skill. But, as a woman that grew up playing sports. As a former high school athlete, as a former college athlete, as a sports fan, and proponent of Sporty Spice herself I will say this:
Shame on you.
To be a female athlete carries its own weight, one that many will never understand.
For young women and girls to look to Olympic athletes as heroes and role models - this should be a reach void of sexuality or lulling self-esteem.
We live in, and through images and articles like these perpetuate, a culture of female self-doubt. Young women and girls are told very early on that they should be worried about how they look and how they dress, the number on a scale or on the tiny tag on articles of clothing.
The struggle with female body image isn't negated simply by playing sports: prom dresses not fitting right because of a cheerleader's defined shoulder muscles, or pants being too loose around the waist but tight on the thighs of the track star's strong legs… Oie Vay: too real these experiences are, and at such a young age, they can make the mall dressing room experience quite unbearable.
But, even so, for women who have grown up playing sports and idolizing female athletes that sting was lessened in some ways - while it can be confusing and difficult to deal with the pangs of puberty and a changing body, sports give young women and girls confidence; the field or the gymnasium create an empowering environment. Teamwork teaches us to leave "mean girl" behaviors behind, to work together, to communicate, and to rely on each other.
I hate these campaigns.
I hate these articles. The commercials. The idea.
The female body is quite the wonder when you stop and think about it. The abilities that we have been granted, our mere biology - like you're welcome for your existence, said every woman ever… - something so skilled can also be so strong, so precise. It can have muscle, and strength.
This view of female athletes attempts to tell women not to push, not to "fight for their inch," not to get too sweaty - because at the end of the day, they're still nothing but a sexual being.
These images, these articles, tell young women and girls that their idols are being judged just as harshly off the field as they are on it… it tells them that they are too. It tells young athletes that at the end of the day you can only make us proud, your country, your high school, your youth team, if your facial beauty matches your athletic ability - and this is wrong.
I resent any attempt to take the field, or the rink, or the gym away from women. I resent any attempt to push women back into the box. I resent any imagery that tells our female athletes that their diligence and determination is not enough.
