Girls And Gold
Start writing a post
Sports

Girls And Gold

Just when you think the sexism has stopped...

6
Girls And Gold

I am appalled, I am hurt and I’m tired of almost every Olympic headline I read being sexist and ludicrous. Will the way women are talked about ever change? From Gabby Douglas, to Simone Biles, to Corey Cogdell, all we have seen are women standing in the shadows of their male equivalents – because women can’t be great by just being themselves.

Women in Rio are winning gold and the media can’t seem to get past the fact that all they are are athletes. Not the wife of a Chicago Bears player, not the female equivalent of Michael Phelps or Usain Bolt. Athletes.

I myself am not the athletic type, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t look up to the countless women who are extraordinary athletes, fighting for their right to be treated as such.

Headline after headline has appeared this month discriminating and belittling the accomplishments of these athletes. You would think that reports would start to catch on by now, but oh, no.

Why would you give a woman the respect and admiration she deserves? Katie Ledecky is not Michael Phelps. Simone Biles is not Usain Bolt. Women are setting records and changing history everyday at the Olympics this year.

Michele Carter won the first gold medal for women’s shot put. Simone Manuel won gold in the 100 meter freestyle, making her the first black woman in history to win an individual medal.

Why are these accomplishments not good enough for the media? Not good enough for the American public?

If you Google “Athletes winning gold in Rio,” not one single headline on the first page features a female athletes name.

Gabby Douglas was targeted on social media for not putting her hand over her heart at the medal ceremony and for having “bad hair.” Are you kidding me? These are Olympic athletes, people. And yet, we are still criticizing them for the way they look.

There was even a Fox News segment on whether or not the U.S. gymnastics team should have been wearing makeup during their performances. After reading this, I honestly had to scream into my pillow.

To quote host Tamara Holder, “Female Olympians are sexing it up more than ever by wearing makeup.” If someone could please tell me when Olympics became about sex, that would be great.

Let me ask you Tamara, as a fellow woman, what the heck is wrong with you? How could you honestly objectify these superhuman athletes and sleep at night?

To put the cherry on top of an incredible round of Olympic games for all the female athletes, Andy Murray was recently interviewed on winning his second gold medal in tennis.

He may have one the gold for singles, but he also won gold in fact checking when he shut down a sexist reporter who said in the interview, “You’re the first person ever to win two Olympic tennis gold medals. That’s an extraordinary feat, isn’t it?”

Brilliant, Andy Murray replied by reminding this sexist idiot that Serena and Venus Williams have both won about four gold medals each in the Olympic singles tennis.

Boom.

During the rest of these "historic" Olympic games, I really do hope to see some change in the way that women are being talked about. These athletes deserve more respect, admiration and honor than anyone can ever give them. Keep on fighting girls and keep bringing home the gold like I know you will.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

81762
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

49621
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

981686
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments