Women's gymnastics is changing in more ways than one

[Jilly_in_VA]

After the U.S. Gymnastics Championships last weekend, many of the headlines focused on Simone Biles, who had just won a record eighth title.

But looking at the top finishers more broadly, it's clear that elite women's gymnastics is changing in some big ways — in terms of race, age and collegiate competition — and moving the sport forward.

The top six women at the meet were Black or Asian American. On the men's side, too, the top three were Black or Asian American.

It's a far cry from the 1980s and '90s, say Betty Okino and Dominique Dawes. They were the first African American Olympic gymnastics medalists, as part of the bronze-winning 1992 team in Barcelona.

https://www.npr.org/2023/09/02/1197287064/womens-gymnastics-is-changing-in-more-ways-than-one

It's also changing in style, which I heartily applaud. No more skinny "baby ballerinas"! Bring on the "power packs" like Simone who can still be graceful!

[tulipsandroses]

1. Wow, I can't believe Dominique Dawes is 46 yrs old

Representation matters in everything.

[cyclonefence]

2. I've begun watching college women's gymnastics competitions

and while a good many of the athletes are indeed still tiny--some of the exercises do favor a small frame--what I'd like to see changed is the sexualized outfits these athletes compete in. Tight and form-fitting I understand; the incredible feats these women perform would be hampered by looser outfits. There is no reason imo for the spangles and sequins, the see-through panels, and the outrageously high-cut pants (or bottoms; they aren't really pants). Tight-fitting bike-short type pants, it seems to me, of very thin Lycra would work as well.

I understand that women's gymnastic competitions are a different breed from men's competitions, which tend to focus almost entirely on muscle strength. Women demonstrate many more skills, like balance and, yes, gracefulness in movement. I do not suggest that women gymnasts should dress like their male counterparts.

Women's sports will never be taken as seriously as they should be as long as the athletes allow themselves to be dressed like showgirls without the feathers. And are all the bum-shaking moves on the floor exercises displays of athletic prowess or what?

And this begins with little girls taking gymnastics classes--sexualization continues to be a burden women's rights movements will forever battle, I guess.

[Jilly_in_VA]

3. I love Friday Night Flights

on the SEC Network. We watch all winter. Tennessee doesn't have a gymnastics program (why the hell not?) but I watch for the sheer fun of it. One of my favorites, Morgan Hurd, is now competing for Florida. LSU used to have a gymnast named Ashleigh Gnat...how appropriate can you get? She was about that big, too!

[MLAA]

4. I accidentally but delightedly came across the championships last week and I gleefully commented

to my husband that the diversity was wonderful but a long time coming. Most the athletes looked healthier than the waif like standards of the past. 🙂

Edited to correct typo from my darn iPad keyboard that isn’t as sensitive as it use to be.