Every time the Olympics are aired- summer or winter- I doubt I’ll watch. And, every time, I find myself in front of the television captivated by the nationalistic drama presented in cheering for the best-of-the-best athletes in the world. This evening, I happened to catch one of the women’s beach volleyball matches. The US team consisting of Misty May-Treanor and Kerry Walsh were taking on the Cuban team of Fernandez and Larrea (whose first names were never made evident). During the match, the commentary provided by two male sportscasters was particularly appalling. Interspersing shots of “live” volleyball action with a constantly running barrage of gossip about the American team members, the chatter turned quickly from volleyball to courting and marriage decisions to future speculation that neither “almost 30″ year old woman would compete in the next Olympics because of her perceived “sense of urgency at needing to start a family”.
As if it isn’t bad enough that the official female beach volleyball uniform of the Olympics is the rather immodest (and impractically-shifting) tiny sports bra and panties versus the male uniform of tank and shorts, these women are seen as fodder for more than lewd looks. The male-perpetuated gossip club that is sports commentary has provided in-depth and endearing vignettes on the training schedules, philosophies and beliefs of the American male athletes. The female athletes, however, all seemed to be featured in tales worthy of any day-time soap opera: stories of nude photography, broken relationships, eating habits and baby-fever portray these impressive women as neurotic, lust-ful and perhaps most importantly, not serious about their sport as a lifestyle.
By detailing the stormy courtships, fairy-tale weddings and desire for children of Misty and Kerry and placing it in context of their advancing age (approaching 30? really?), the sportscasters have reduced these fabulous athletes to the stereotypes that are still perpetuated of women: occupying themselves elsewhere until they meet their mate and then willing to give up everything to follow the continuously louder beat of their biology
It is only roughly twenty minutes later when the commentators began discussing the actual Olympic sport in front of us: the physics of playing in sand versus hard, gym floor, how both women got into this particular sport and other athletic-specific concerns. Nearly 3/4 of the match goes by without treating these women with the respect they have so earned.
May-Treanor and Walsh ended up winning their match against the Cubans. But, the glory of their win was somehow overshadowed- for me, at least- by the stories of their personal lives. In an era of celebu-tante sex stars and rap spawn role models, highlighting the personal and professional achievements of these strong, capable athletes (and, specifically, women) is a welcome breath of fresh air. However, having their success accompanied by an unbeknownst current of highly-gendered “biological clock” talk by two male would-be journalists seems to dull that gold medal shine unnecessarily. Here’s a radical idea: let’s celebrate the progress and peace the Olympics sympbolizes without trotting out the tired, sexist spin.
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I heard similar crappy commentary too!!!
I wished I had a gun so I could shoot my TV set!!!
I'M SICK OF IT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Boys, listen up. I, ALONG WITH MANY OTHER WOMEN, DON'T FREAKIN CARE ABOUT ANY FEMALE ATHLETES' PERSONAL DETAILS OR THEIR MARRIAGE PLANS. WE WATCH THE OLYMPICS FOR THE *SPORTS*, OK?!?!?!
sorry, rant over.
I'm soooo glad you wrote something about this! So far, I have watched both matches that the U.S. women's beach volleyball team played and in both instances, I couldn't believe the lame commentary. I'm still so pissed off about their "uniform." I've also noticed many close ups of the women's asses. All I can say is, what the fuck?
I've been talking about theannoucners both on here and on my new blog! (self promotion)
The other day I was watching the olympic qualifiers and one of the girls got injured in the warm up and couldn't do all of her events. The announcer literally compared it to "getting a rip in your dress on your wedding day"
Seriously, the event she has dreamed and trained about and for during the past how many yearas, the chance to win a medal and compete in front of billions of people..and it's like getting a rip in a wedding dress
MzBitca, that drove me NUTS. Yes, clearly, having a pretty dress is EXACTLY like being a professional athlete and spending four years of your life training for an event that you are now unable to compete in. Way to reduce all women to princess, you jackasses.
I was watching this segment as well, and I was pretty appalled by their ridiculous commentary. What the hell? I haven't watched the men's volleyball, but I find it hard to believe that they spent quite that much time discussing their romantic life / so-called "biological urges."
The commentary in general is obnoxious, no matter what they are saying.