Does the public have the right to criticize an Olympian’s weight?
Seems to me that the obvious answer is "no," but I thought I'd throw it out there for discussion:
www.theglobeandmail.com/.../
Bear in mind, just because someone is one of the best in the world doesn't make them immune from critiques. She receives sponsorship money, so she is held accountable for her performance.
It's no different than when I attend a NFL game and comment on a player's abilities. It doesn't matter whether or not I can play professional football...I'm paying for a product and if it doesn't live up to my expectation, I have every right to voice my concern.
It's a little different here because competitors aren't paid through tv deals and such, but I don't agree with the concept that you can't criticize someone just because they are better/faster. After all, none of the coaches are faster than their swimmers and they critique them all the time!
But it's not her performance that is being criticized, or even the amount of training that she's done. It's how she looks. Remember, that is all that is anyone is going on: photos.
And the idea that a woman's looks are a product that you pay for is, well, a little nauseating. I realize that such things happen all the time, but I would not have thought it to be true of Olympic athletes.
Bear in mind, just because someone is one of the best in the world doesn't make them immune from critiques. She receives sponsorship money, so she is held accountable for her performance.
It's no different than when I attend a NFL game and comment on a player's abilities. It doesn't matter whether or not I can play professional football...I'm paying for a product and if it doesn't live up to my expectation, I have every right to voice my concern.
It's a little different here because competitors aren't paid through tv deals and such, but I don't agree with the concept that you can't criticize someone just because they are better/faster. After all, none of the coaches are faster than their swimmers and they critique them all the time!
But it's not her performance that is being criticized, or even the amount of training that she's done. It's how she looks. Remember, that is all that is anyone is going on: photos.
And the idea that a woman's looks are a product that you pay for is, well, a little nauseating. I realize that such things happen all the time, but I would not have thought it to be true of Olympic athletes.
