Rules, Re-Examined (Episode 47)

As the amazing athletic feats continue to unfold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Shaunna and Lisa encourage us to take note of the gender disparity between men and women in Olympic coverage. Notice how commentators and other members of the media refer to their skills, performances, and bodies. In many instances, there is a distinct difference between the way women and men athletes are described and their performances dissected. Even the uniforms the women wear are noticeably more revealing and sexualized, save perhaps the male divers. A question this raises is who gets to decide what is “appropriate” attire for athletic events? Shouldn’t athletes have the right to decide what they wear in competition based on their needs and comfort? At what point does tradition become oppressive and reinforce harmful stereotypes about women and women’s sport? And how does a commentator’s banter and anecdotes reinforce or explode these stereotypes?

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