As you may or may not be aware, the Olympics currently only allow for men to compete in ski jumping. So, in honor of that blatant discrimination (and because the US Ski Jumping Championships were held roughly 30 minutes away from my home), I thought I would take a moment to describe what was happening on the front.
At the Nationals competition I watched Lindsey Van win her 15th national title. At one time she held the world record (for BOTH men and women) for ski jumping. Fortunately, since I’m a super celebrity (and I have an in with the cool peeps in Park City, Utah), I snagged Lindsey Van and chatted with her for a second after the competition to discuss where women’s ski jumping is.
Among other things, we discussed why women’s ski jumping isn’t allowed in the Olympics. She said:
“I’m not really sure why women’s ski jumping isn’t allowed. They’ve told us a lot of different reasons based on technical issues, but honestly I just think they’re scared to have women …
… jump on the same level as men. Women a lot of the times can jump as far as the guys, and a lot of times it’s hard to differentiate between the two from a spectator point of view.”
We also discussed what it meant for women to be included in the Olympics:
“This is really what our sport needs to move forward, especially with sponsorship. No corporate sponsors want to touch us right now.”
To me, this hypocrisy is unpalatable. I think it is absolutely ridiculous that this is even still an issue. There is absolutely no reason why these women shouldn’t be allowed to compete, especially when they are competitive with the male jumpers. It is the only sport in the winter games that only allows men to compete.
If you feel so inclined, since they don’t have the kind of sponsorship that Olympic sports do, you can help by donating to the cause on their website to help pay for equipment and travel expenses and for being really kick ass in general.
I suppose we’ll have to see how this pans out.
Oh yeah I can see sponsors really jumping on the female ski jumper bandwagon. You know what really looks good? When one flubs a landing (and it will happen) and the cameras get a close up of her broken in the snow flopping around and writhing in pain wearing the sponsors logo. Nothing says “buy cornflakes” like a brutalized woman. *sarcasm* To dumb that down, a hurt woman is MUCH more disturbing to the general public (men) than a hurt man. It is why those battered women posters have such an effect. Is it misogynistic to have an aversion to seeing a woman hurt?
I think the main reason why they don’t get sponsorship is not because they are women, but because the sport is not recognised at an Olympic level, and that and World Championships are pretty much the only occasion where their sponsorship investment would pay out.
Because they are women? Oh yes, the last thing advertisers want is to have there product logo stuck spandex tight on the young, firm, muscled body of a female athlete. And boobs, they hate boobs!
I wrote: “is NOT because they are women” :)
Hey boring, at the risk of incurring your wrath, I just wanted to let you know that you seem to be back on making intelligent, well thought-out points that, while I might not agree with them, definitely make me think. Thank you for what you bring to ZL :-) (And no, I don’t think it’s misogynistic at all to have an aversion to seeing a woman–or anyone, for that matter–hurt)
I, and my mighty wrath thank you!
I suppose I can understand the general public not liking women being hurt. How often do people get hurt in this sport, though? Is it any more often than other winter sports? I just think it’s crap. There really is no reason to not allow women to compete in the ski jump.
Men aren’t allowed to compete on rhythmic gymnastics or synchronised swimming either, so the discrimination is both ways.
I would pay to see mens’ synchronized swimming. That would be phenomenal.
Really? That’s ridiculous! I would love to see men’s synchronized swimming as well!
Jesus Christ! I am so fucking sick of these women whining. They tried to cry that the Olympic committee not recognising their sport is a human rights violation. They tried to pull immidiately preceeding the Vancouver Games, like they were going to reschedule the whole thing 6 weeks before the opening cerimonies.
They were not accepted, and continue to not be accepted, into the Olympics because they are not part of an international sport. Only SIX countries have women at a high enough level to compete. It is NOT an international sport.
Get your facts straight before crying sexism, Lily, I expected more.
It is technically because not enough countries compete in the sport (women’s). No other reason. There is some circularity to that of course, if it was Olympic then more skiiers would look at competing. And a lot of the Winter sports are quite small in terms of number of countries so you have to wonder why they bother with strict requirements. It’s a spectacle really.