The right to criticize an Olympian’s weight?

RE: The right to criticize an Olympian’s weight?

Rob Copeland — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 05:21:40 GMT

"Swimmers are taller and heavier than most olympians"I guess it depends on the sport. There are a lot of large/tall basketball and volleyball players. And Ricardo Blas Jr in judo (6’1”, 480lbs) outweighs some relay teams. And I will not criticize his weight:bolt:

RE: The right to criticize an Olympian’s weight?

orca1946 — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 04:19:02 GMT

I just notices wt lifting has wt divisions but does not announce wt. Water polo & vollyball for women said the ladies wts! What gives?

RE: The right to criticize an Olympian’s weight?

Sojerz — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 02:06:51 GMT

Interesting thread on NPR discussing body size evolution for various olmpic events: www.npr.org/.../olympic-bodies-they-just-dont-make-them-like-they-used-to "Swimmers are taller and heavier than most olympians"; males setting WR in the 100 have increased in body length from 5'-8" to 6'-8" and increased sprint speed from about 4 mph to 4.75 mph.

RE: The right to criticize an Olympian’s weight?

__steve__ — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 12:17:11 GMT

It's one of the newer abdominal exercises, pushup position held with forearms on the ground instead of palms. Hold for about 5 minutes

RE: The right to criticize an Olympian’s weight?

knelson — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 11:10:38 GMT

In swimming, having a look of a model selling plank What the heck is plank?

RE: The right to criticize an Olympian’s weight?

aquajock — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 10:55:48 GMT

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/.../ No, it's just damaging to women who already have body image issues. Most female swimmers aren't super lean like some other athletes. I was actually pretty happy to shuck my size 12 shoulders after I stopped swimming in college and trimmed down. But now as a masters swimmer, I can't swim fly worth a damn because I've lost buoyancy and shoulder strength. So to me it's really all about what weight works best for what you are comfortable with vs. you want to accomplish.

RE: The right to criticize an Olympian’s weight?

knelson — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 01:06:15 GMT

OK. I knew about that exercise, just didn't know anyone was trying to sell it :)

RE: The right to criticize an Olympian’s weight?

ande — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 12:45:30 GMT

Not a fair comparison. They're comparing a tech suit pic with one of her in a training suit with exposed legs. Writing negative articles about a female swimmers weight & shape is a super touchy subject. I don't think anyone other than the swimmer & her docs should be concerned with her weight & physical shape. A woman's weight and shape can affect her self esteem or lack there of. It's mean & hurtful to show those pics & drag her through the mud. Leilsel should shoot pics of that writer, the editors, publishers & owners the pub that ran it. At UT in the 80's a couple coaches used to weigh the female swimmers & punish those they felt were over weight. The team roster brochure used to list height & weight. For some swimmers it lead to eating disorders & low self esteem. It's psychologically damaging. It doesn't make swimming fun. There are rules and guidelines about what coaches can and can't say or do about their swimmers weight. I do believe that men & women should have suit equality & I'm fine either way.

RE: The right to criticize an Olympian’s weight?

Former Member — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 11:25:36 GMT

Is it a model competition or the Olympics? I think the results should count.

RE: The right to criticize an Olympian’s weight?

Elaine Krugman — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 08:53:46 GMT

The only reason they're actually in shirts/pants this year is because there was a rule change that allowed it. Prior to this year, the required uniform for women's beach volleyball was a bikini, regardless of weather conditions. Apparently it was a big deal to their governing body (FIVB?) to make the change. If the rule change hadn't passed, they'd still be in bikinis, even in 40° weather. Thankfully sanity won out, rather than ratings... I had no idea bikinis were actually required in the past. That is :censor: crazy! :bitching: So, yes, I agree; thankfully sanity finally prevailed!

RE: The right to criticize an Olympian’s weight?

swimmieAvsFan — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 08:43:34 GMT

I think this year for the first time the bikinis aren't required. I agree that it is pretty pathetic that they ever were. Chris, it has been too cold to wear bikinis! Last night, the gals were all covered in long sleeves and long pants. The only reason they're actually in shirts/pants this year is because there was a rule change that allowed it. Prior to this year, the required uniform for women's beach volleyball was a bikini, regardless of weather conditions. Apparently it was a big deal to their governing body (FIVB?) to make the change. If the rule change hadn't passed, they'd still be in bikinis, even in 40° weather. Thankfully sanity won out, rather than ratings...

RE: The right to criticize an Olympian’s weight?

Elaine Krugman — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 08:37:26 GMT

RE: The right to criticize an Olympian’s weight?

Chris Stevenson — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 08:19:49 GMT

Isn't this why women's beach volleyball is played in skimpy bikinis while the men have shirts and long shorts? I think this year for the first time the bikinis aren't required. I agree that it is pretty pathetic that they ever were.

RE: The right to criticize an Olympian’s weight?

gobears — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 08:12:54 GMT

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. Isn't this why women's beach volleyball is played in skimpy bikinis while the men have shirts and long shorts?

RE: The right to criticize an Olympian’s weight?

orca1946 — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 01:37:32 GMT

Nobody that swims & loses to her said that !!! If anyone can make the olympic field then a lot of hard work went into it to make it.

RE: The right to criticize an Olympian’s weight?

__steve__ — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 01:28:14 GMT

In swimming, having a look of a model selling plank in another core article of a fitness magazine does not determine the medal. Whoever swims the best does.

RE: The right to criticize an Olympian’s weight?

Former Member — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 16:13:37 GMT

No, but I think she probably would get better results if she lost the extra baggage. In the alternative she should get into cold water marathon swimming where her build would be perfect. Nothing wrong with a little bioprene when water temperatures drop below 60°

RE: The right to criticize an Olympian’s weight?

knelson — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 12:22:27 GMT

Yeah? You look at the comments on some of these news sites, and people are cluck-clucking about the cellulite on her thighs. I mean really. My theory is reading the comments on any story--no matter how seemingly mundane--will make your blood boil. Seriously, you'd be amazed what people can complain about and criticize.

RE: The right to criticize an Olympian’s weight?

__steve__ — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 06:58:15 GMT

Do we have the right to anything so long as we're still responsible for what is said (in its context)?

RE: The right to criticize an Olympian’s weight?

Allen Stark — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 01:18:57 GMT

Given the cultural problem of poor body image among girls and the high incidence of eating disorders among female athletes a comment about a female Olympian being fat is,in my mind,more egregious than a typical criticism.

RE: The right to criticize an Olympian’s weight?

philoswimmer — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 11:21:00 GMT

Sort of, but she looks out of shape, and that's what people are criticizing. There's an assumption--and it could be wrong--that if you look out of shape then you haven't been training very hard. Yeah? You look at the comments on some of these news sites, and people are cluck-clucking about the cellulite on her thighs. I mean really.

RE: The right to criticize an Olympian’s weight?

Former Member — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 10:42:36 GMT

Edit...Ok compared to a few years ago, there's a few extra pounds on her frame. Still, it's really absurd to make comments about her size. www.theaustralian.com.au/.../story-fne3a96w-1226434764662 If there's any criticism to be done how about starting here. 354 pounds isn't just a little bit big boned. Albeit in Mangold's case it's probably helping her. www.dispatch.com/.../mangold-lifts-way-to-london-games.html

RE: The right to criticize an Olympian’s weight?

Bobinator — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 09:44:35 GMT

Lol! Read John Feinstein's new Olympic swimmer book "Mystery At The Olympics, Rush For The Gold" The story is about this unfair attention and sponsorships given to extremely great looking athletes. The book is about 4th-5th grade reading level so you can get through it quickly. It was a little hoky but I enjoyed it and am adding it to my injured student's library. I think it's in poor taste to publicly discuss an athlete or any public figures weight issues. If Leisel asks for our opinion it would be okay to give it, otherwise it's not up for discussion. I assume Leisel has been sent to London to swim as fast as she can, not be a swimsuit model.

RE: The right to criticize an Olympian’s weight?

sickfish — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 08:50:06 GMT

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.]

RE: The right to criticize an Olympian’s weight?

knelson — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 08:36:04 GMT

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. Sort of, but she looks out of shape, and that's what people are criticizing. There's an assumption--and it could be wrong--that if you look out of shape then you haven't been training very hard.