Comments on: Post mort for IOC: Why are the Olympics so sexist?!?

By: Don

Don — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 07:26:59 +0000

Good article, Laura. Besides having additional women’s events, such as women’s ski jumping, I would like to see more sports that allow men and women to complete together. In the summer Olympics, equestrian and sailing allow for this.

In the winter Olympics, Curling could and should be open to either sex. Perhaps a variation in luge, bobsled or skeleton where the push-off is not a critical part of the sport and skill is only measured by how well the sled is driven.

Olympic officials should look for additional events that allow fair competition in sports that could be open to either sex.

By: Daryl

Daryl — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:21:52 +0000

Not to mention the already much-discussed sexist media coverage! While Costa, Lauer, et al. were slobbering over Lindsay Vaughn, less attractive women athletes barely warranted a mention. With all due respect to Vaughn, why is it such big news that women can be both athletic and beautiful? And why were so many winning-but-not-SI-cover-material women overshadowed by frat-boy skiers who failed to finish?

By: Davi-Ellen Chabner

Davi-Ellen Chabner — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:08:52 +0000

Great blog, Laura. You are right on target, as usual! The Olympic committee is outdated. Natalie’s argument doesn’t hold water. I can remember when women weren’t allowed to play full court basketball (50s and 60s) or swim the same distances as men. Why they can’t compete in ski jumping just doesn’t make sense. Carry on!

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:40:36 +0000

“Why do the Olympics, which allows nations – even those struggling to be part of the civil discourse of the international community – enforce such a stereotyped bias against women?”

You answered the question in your own article: intact male egos.

Another question remains is why do women support this behavior?

By: Natalie

Natalie — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:54:42 +0000

I love women and I am all about equality but the fact remains that most top female athletes can’t do the same things as top male athletes in the same sport. Case in point, Figure skating. having no triple axel as a man is suicide and has been since the 80s. 4 female skaters in history have ever landed one in competition. part of the reason men have one more element is because they can do another jump. Could the ladies skate 30 second more, probably. But I bet they don’t want to.

Would you rather all sports be co-ed? Very rarely, if ever would you see a woman medal in any event. It just doesn’t make sense.