Op-Ed: Women in Sports — The Focus on Appearance Over Athleticism

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In the world of sports, women athletes often find themselves under a magnifying glass, not just for their athletic ability but for their appearance. This focus can overshadow their achievements and reduce their identity to superficial attributes rather than their skills and dedication.

Notable instances involving athletes like Simone Biles and Kim Yeji exemplify this phenomenon during the Paris Olympics, highlighting the disparity in how female athletes are perceived.

This article explores the double standards in sports journalism and public perception, highlighting how female athletes are often judged based on their appearance rather than their skills and achievements. We also underscore the need to shift the focus towards celebrating athletic accomplishments, regardless of gender.

Simone Biles: Criticism Over Hairstyles

Simone Biles, an unparalleled force in gymnastics, has redefined the sport with her extraordinary talent and unyielding spirit. Despite her records, including multiple Olympic medals, Biles has faced criticism that no athlete should endure.

During the Paris Olympics, instead of being lauded solely for her athletic achievements, Biles was criticized for her hair. Social media users fixated on her "messy" bun, overshadowing her historic performances and the immense pressure she navigated.

“I’m just trying to figure out why Simone Biles hair never done? Like girllll come on. STILL LOVE HER AND HOPE SHE DOES GREAT !” one person posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).

The focus on Biles' hair is a microcosm of a larger issue: the tendency to scrutinize female athletes' appearances rather than their skills. This emphasis on looks not only diminishes their accomplishments but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes.

In Biles' case, her hair became a topic of conversation in a way that had nothing to do with her abilities as an athlete. It’s a stark reminder of the double standards that persist in sports, where women are often held to different, and unfair, expectations​​.

Kim Yeji: Applauded for "Cool" Look

Korean pistol shooter Kim Yeji experienced a different yet related kind of attention. While competing at the Paris Olympics' 10m air pistol shooting competition, Yeji was noted not only for her remarkable skills but also for her "cool" look, which garnered significant media attention.

Media coverage and public discourse frequently highlighted her aesthetic appeal, sometimes overshadowing her actual accomplishments on the shooting range. This form of attention, though seemingly positive, still underscores a problematic focus on appearance. Instead of solely celebrating Yeji's athletic feats—such as setting a new world record—commentators also praised her style.

This dual focus on both her looks and skills demonstrates a subtle yet pervasive form of bias, where a woman's appearance is given undue importance alongside her professional achievements​

The Broader Implications

These two instances are not isolated. Across various sports, female athletes are subjected to scrutiny regarding their attire, hairstyles, and overall appearance in ways that male athletes rarely experience.

This double standard is deeply ingrained in both sports journalism and public perception, where female athletes are frequently evaluated through a lens of physical appearance. While male athletes are typically celebrated for their strength and skills, women are often scrutinized for their looks, clothing, and even hairstyles.

Such scrutiny can have far-reaching implications.

For one, it can detract from the recognition and celebration of women's sports, making it harder for female athletes to be taken seriously. Additionally, this focus on appearance can affect the athletes themselves, leading to increased pressure and, in some cases, mental health issues. The constant judgment based on looks rather than skill can undermine confidence and distract from their primary focus: competing and excelling in their sport.

Final Thought:

The experiences of Simone Biles and Kim Yeji highlight a pervasive issue in sports: the undue focus on female athletes' appearances over their accomplishments. This double standard is not only unfair but also detrimental to the progress of women's sports.

To combat these biases, it’s crucial to shift the narrative. Media outlets and sports commentators should prioritize athletes' skills, dedication, and achievements over their appearances. Fans and viewers also play a role in this shift. By consciously choosing to support female athletes for their talents and advocating for fair representation, the public can help reshape the landscape of sports.

By shifting our focus and celebrating athletes for their skills and achievements, we can foster a more inclusive and respectful sports culture. Let's cheer for the extraordinary capabilities of women in sports and let their achievements, not their appearance, define them.