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/.../
One of my favorite sayings about Masters swimming (that I made up) is that there's always a fat guy ten years older than you who will blow you out of the water. When that 43-year-old fat guy drops a 49 in a 100 free, and I come in with a 52, I don't suggest that he lose weight.
It's normal (but rude and shallow and ignorant) for Joe NBC Viewer to expect all of the athletes to be Adonis-like (or whatever the female equivalent of Adonis is called) and to complain when they don't meet his standards. As Masters swimmers, all of whom have been beaten by that supposedly out-of-shape guy or gal, we should know better.
I think we can all refrain from giving smug advice until we're faster than she is.
is faster than she is? Apparently no women at USMS Nationals this year, and only four men, assuming I can count and compare numbers properly. Her best time this year would have placed sixth at the US Olympic Trials. So, basically, almost nobody is faster than she is. If she's doing something wrong, the rest of us are doing a lot more of it.]
One of my favorite sayings about Masters swimming (that I made up) is that there's always a fat guy ten years older than you who will blow you out of the water. When that 43-year-old fat guy drops a 49 in a 100 free, and I come in with a 52, I don't suggest that he lose weight.
It's normal (but rude and shallow and ignorant) for Joe NBC Viewer to expect all of the athletes to be Adonis-like (or whatever the female equivalent of Adonis is called) and to complain when they don't meet his standards. As Masters swimmers, all of whom have been beaten by that supposedly out-of-shape guy or gal, we should know better.
I think we can all refrain from giving smug advice until we're faster than she is.
is faster than she is? Apparently no women at USMS Nationals this year, and only four men, assuming I can count and compare numbers properly. Her best time this year would have placed sixth at the US Olympic Trials. So, basically, almost nobody is faster than she is. If she's doing something wrong, the rest of us are doing a lot more of it.]
