On the surface, the Olympics represent the spirit of fellowship for all mankind. However, women see the situation somewhat differently. Despite the fact females train just as hard as men and comprise a larger share of the total population, only 44 percent of Olympic athletes are women. The most genteel of sporting events is sexist. Here are five ways you may not have noticed.
Sexist Reporting Results
Who do you consider the face of the Summer Olympics? It’s Michael Phelps, right? He received excessive publicity during his run to six more gold medals, thereby becoming the most decorated Olympian of all time with 22 medals.
Judging by the focus of the coverage, you probably failed to realize the women of Team USA earned over 40 more medals than men. Yes, female athletes claimed 63 percent of all American podium waves yet Phelps and the Team USA basketball team were the focus of NBC’s broadcasts. Going back to 2010, 75 percent of the most-mentioned athletes were male.
The same was true at the more recent Winter Olympics. The women of Team USA claimed more than half the medals, yet the coverage prioritized the men’s hockey team more than anyone else.
Sexist Outfits
The official rules of beach volleyball allow men to dress comfortably. They can wear T-shirt and shorts, which means the casual beachwear they would sport anyway is also their mandatory uniform. In contrast, the rules dictate women must wear bikinis to compete at the event. While these competitors attempt to bring glory to their country, the people legislating the event are more concerned with whether onlookers can ogle them in flesh-bearing bikinis.
Sexist Lexicon
Commentators for the Olympics are as guilty of demeaning public speech as anyone. Research suggests analysts, even ones who have gone to the best schools for sports management, refer to women's accomplishments much differently than for men.
On average, men are praised for their natural ability and drive to excel. Women, on the other hand, are described as lucky. Imagine how lucky they are in terms of medal count to keep beating the men who possess such praised ability.
The denigration doesn’t end with winning, either. If men lose, their competitors are praised for offering a top-notch performance. When women lose, announcers are likely to point out that lack of commitment is oftentimes the cause for Olympic failure.
Sexist Social Media Posts
Gabby Douglas is a bona fide hero. In 2012, she became the first African-American to win the all-around gold medal in gymnastics. How was her performance celebrated on Twitter? People criticized her hair and her nails. Rather than admire her ability to nail a beam routine perfectly, observers were obsessed with her need for a perm. Meanwhile, no discussion of Michael Phelps ever centered upon his hair.
Sexism in the Olympics may be subtle, but it exists. The above examples are but a few instances of the ways in which we must better champion our medal-winning female athletes.