The right to criticize an Olympian’s weight?

Poor Leisel! She may be heavier than she would like, but it doesn't seem to be slowing her down, does it? I have had some pretty hefty women clock me on the tennis courts and in the swimming pool as well - so we have no right to judge her athletic abilities on her figure. Some people actually perform better at heavier weights (wish that was me. . . ) and find it very difficult to control their appetite when exercising so strenuously all the dang time! Female athletes have enough image problems and concurrent eating disorders as it is. It's never nice to comment on someone's weight, but fortunately, we still have some semblance of freedom of speech in this country. Maybe not for much longer, but we do have it. That doesn't mean we shouldn't exercise tact, however.

Poor Leisel! She may be heavier than she would like, but it doesn't seem to be slowing her down, does it? I have had some pretty hefty women clock me on the tennis courts and in the swimming pool as well - so we have no right to judge her athletic abilities on her figure. Some people actually perform better at heavier weights (wish that was me. . . ) and find it very difficult to control their appetite when exercising so strenuously all the dang time! Female athletes have enough image problems and concurrent eating disorders as it is. It's never nice to comment on someone's weight, but fortunately, we still have some semblance of freedom of speech in this country. Maybe not for much longer, but we do have it. That doesn't mean we shouldn't exercise tact, however.