As the Olympics are now well underway it seems like the games are all anyone is talking about. And with the entire world coming together to celebrate each country's top athletes this should be a good thing right? Well it seems that sexism can be felt even in what is supposed to be a coming together of the entire world. All this week I have been hearing about sexist remarks made by broadcasters and article titles that focus on female athletes' husbands rather than themselves. But Fox News Sports Court, you have taken the cake for most sexist remarks.
On August 3rd Fox News Sports Court, hosted by Tamara Holder, had Bo Dietl, former NYPD detictive, and Mark Simone, radio host, discuss women at the Olympics wearing make up. First of all Fox News what the f!ck were you thinking when picking these people to discuss this topic. How are either of these two MEN qualified to discuss this topic? I'm not saying a man couldn't discuss this topic thoroughly, but these men have nothing to do with women, make up, sports, Olympics, or anything remotely related to this discussion. How is being a former NYPD detective qualification to discuss sports in any way shape or form? Furthermore what qualifies them to discuss women in sports?
Honestly I don't know why I expected this to go any different from here but Fox News you managed to make this situation even worse. Mark Simone jumps right out of the gate saying that the whole point of the lifetime of blood, sweat, and tears that went into training to become an Olympic athlete is *drum roll please* for endorsements. So clearly female athletes should wear make up because they are only there for one thing: a Covergirl contract. Never mind that pesky gold medal they could win, it would be too heavy for these women to hold anyways!
But wait there's more! Bo Dietl chimes right in with "Why should I have to look at some chick's zits?" going on to say that he wants to see that gold medal winner looking beautiful. When Tamara pushes him, asking if women are less beautiful without make up he responds with "not just women, men too." Well at least he thinks both male and female athletes need to be pretty for his sensitive eyes when the receive their medals, calling out Michael Phelps saying he too should put a little 'blushitation' on. Honestly the discussion gets worse and worse so I'm not even going to give it the honor of mentioning other quotes.
Look Fox I am a female athlete. I am a former competitive figure skater and a collegiate cross-country runner. For skating I always wore make up, it literally was not an option because on the ice you can get really washed out and it is a performance judged sport. But I loved it. It made me feel beautiful and confident and was part of my pre-competition routine. I also wear make up during cross-country races. Just like with skating it makes me feel beautiful and confident and downright badass. Yes I am a woman and feminine but I can also run a 21 minute 5k.
There are so many reasons why an athlete might wear make up. In the USA Today article that sparked this episode of Sports Court the women interviewed gave many reasons: to feel confident, to feel feminine, as part of the pre-competition routine, to be patriotic, and even to honor the memory of a grandmother. And guess what Fox: if any athlete, male or female, decides whether or not to wear make up it is none of your damn business. And to any women or young girls who heard this discussion on Fox: do not listen to a word these two men say, you can do whatever you want and your looks do not equal success. Do better Fox News.
