I love watching reruns of the Olympic medaling ceremonies. As the medalists mount the podiums, one can see in their steps, in their posture, and in their general countenance how much this crowning moment means to them. Of course, we, the viewers, do not see the hours of practice, the mental and physical exhaustion, and the general journey that each of these athletes has taken to get on the stand. But we see their eyes glisten as they realize that every 5:00 AM practice, every missed opportunity to hang out with friends, and every injury was worth this glorious moment. There on that stand we see the culmination of emotions as the national anthem rings in their ears. Their faces shining, knowing that they did the best that they could do with the help of so many others. Its simply beautiful to see.

All of this gets downtrodden when you hear things such as the interview conducted on Fox News as part of their "Sport Court" segment. For clarity, here is the specific interview.

Ms. Holder starts off with wondering whether the athletes are just wearing makeup to appear sexually appealing or if there is some other obscure reason for doing so. Makeup, to be put simply, has always been an expression, an artistic form by which people showcase their personalities. It gives some people the confidence to stand up in front of a class, knowing that their facial imperfections are a secret from the world. For some, it is an art. You can just go to YouTube and see the variety of differing makeup looks that people have created by using their amazingly creative minds. These people use makeup as something extra, a way to enhance their personalities in a form which they find appealing. These athletes recognize their own beauty and hard work. They wear their makeup to add to the performance and because putting on makeup is something that a lot of women do every day. Makeup adds another dimension of their performance, their skill. Why stop applying makeup for the Olympics? Are they advertising sex by doing this? Absolutely not. They are using the makeup because they want to. The only thing they are showing off to the viewers is how amazing their talents are. For many of the dance companies and cheer teams, makeup is used as another way to deepen features and add another artistic expression to the performance. Yet, I don’t see Fox interviewers accusing the ballet dancers of any company trying to sell sex. All these athletes are trying to do is tell a story. Their makeup attests to that.

The next point that caught my eye was when Mr. Simone made the statement that the only reason Olympic female athletes put forth all the effort, why they went through so much practice with so much determination, was to do well in the Olympics so that they could get good product endorsements after the Games were all over. This one took my breath away in the least romantic way possible. I wanted to ask Mr. Simone a few questions. Have you ever been passionate about something? Have you ever enjoyed doing something so much that you make it your job, your whole life? Have you given up valuable things like sleep and normal relationships with friends and family to attain your goals within your dream? These athletes have worked so hard for the honor of being an Olympic athlete. Nothing more, nothing less. I doubt Simone Biles put in the thousands of extra practice hours, homeschooling, and the general elite lifestyle in the hopes that one day she could achieve her main dream of being a Covergirl Glambassador. There’s nothing wrong if she does. But I think we can all agree that Biles was a little more focused on that gold medal.

The next stunning point is made by Mr. Dietl when he questions why he should have to look at an athlete’s poor complexion when they accept a medal. He wants the athletes to wear makeup so that he can see someone who looks “beautiful” accept the medal. Well, to be frank Mr. Dietl, if you don’t want to see that, then I would advise you to just not watch. But you should look upon these athletes in whatever form they wish to be presented in. Why? Because they are representing your home for their individual skills which they have honed and perfected and sacrificed a lot to do so. You watch them receive their medal because they have strived for this honor. They deserve that much respect. They didn’t have to make these tough choices, they didn’t have to do any of this. They could have settled for something easier. But they didn’t. This is one of the ways that they are honoring themselves and this country. All Mr. Dietl is doing is complaining about not having something visually stimulating to look at during a medal ceremony.

Oh yeah and Mr. Dietl? That “white rat” who got “18 gold medals?” Yeah his name is Michael Phelps, winner of 23 gold medals and 28 total medals. He holds multiple world and Olympic records. He showed the world how even after you’ve been through an extremely difficult time in your life, you can get back up and find some peace and happiness again. Phelps showed his determination to get his life on track through the pool. He is a loving father and fiancée. He is an inspiration and is the greatest Olympian there has been to this date.

Then, Ms. Holder brings up quotes from athletes Rowbury and Raisman, trying to prove the point that it’s not right that these athletes are using makeup to feel confident and that they also would like to be role models for young girls. Makeup is simply a choice that the athlete made. How it makes the athlete feel is the athlete’s business. Ms. Holder puts makeup in a negative connotation here and I do not agree. Makeup is an art form. It isn’t harmful for you, unlike drugs or other recreational pastimes. If it makes the athlete feel confident so that they can do amazing things, then what is the problem? The little girls watching are going to be inspired with fast running and smooth flipping. They are going to recognize that if they put in the hard work and dedication like these older women then they too can be Olympic athletes. Makeup isn’t even a question here.

And finally all three of them begin to muddle around the topic that the better looking a person is, the better their career will turn out. This is where things get to be a little hazy. There are studies done where they can prove that people are more willing to agree with or side with a person who is visually pleasing. But then all of them agree that these athletes are trying to appear more beautiful to gain more acknowledgement. I don’t believe that this is the right approach. By just agreeing that sex sells, we are just elongating a problem with the way we as humanity think. I think as a whole, we all need to really start trying understand and like people based on their skills, values, dreams, and behaviors. We need to change the impulse to go with something prettier because its not fair for the more qualified. That is the one point I think everyone needs to realize and not just the people within this video. Because we all do it, and we have all done it. But we need to change that.

All in all, this discussion made me feel sick. I see makeup as an art form which I use daily. I recognize that I am beautiful, strong, and independent, not because of what I put on my skin, but by the challenges life has faced me with and how I have responded to them. Makeup is something fun, that I enjoy doing on myself and others. It just adds to my personality. To see this hobby of mine put through the scrutiny of people who have some very close-minded views on the subject irks me. Because something that is an addition, that is hobby, that entertains people, should not be twisted into a noose to bring down a hardworking and determined women.