Layne Beachley may thrash the waves, and conquer 10 foot mammoths in Teahupoo, but who would have thought, beyond her seven world titles, that she too feels the pressures of body image?In her newly released bio Beneath the Waves she admits to getting liposuction on her tummy at the very young age of 24. It’s comforting to know she has body insecurities just like 99% of girls out there, but on the flip side Layne makes a really disturbing observation that a women’s sporting career can only truly flourish if they are beautiful.
In this morning’s Sydney Morning Herald article Winners if they Look Good as Well, Layne says: “If you don't fit that image then you're not worthy of support ... It's a really unreasonable ethic to have," she says.
It’s definitely the topic du jour post Olympics, particularly when the sassy and gorgeous Steph Rice (pictured below) eclipsed her fellow Olympians not only with three golds and a world record, but also 
an alleged kiss from the ever –so-dashing Michael Phelps (ahem), some sultry FHM pics, a naughty fantasy policewoman Facebook tag, and the oh-so mysterious break from her It- boy-lover Eamon Sullivan (pictured left). These stories bombarded the headlines, and like a big infection, plagued some of the articles and interviews that were meant to pay tribute to her amazing sporting achievements! Not to mention the notoriety handed to other female athletes for their sporting successes.
an alleged kiss from the ever –so-dashing Michael Phelps (ahem), some sultry FHM pics, a naughty fantasy policewoman Facebook tag, and the oh-so mysterious break from her It- boy-lover Eamon Sullivan (pictured left). These stories bombarded the headlines, and like a big infection, plagued some of the articles and interviews that were meant to pay tribute to her amazing sporting achievements! Not to mention the notoriety handed to other female athletes for their sporting successes.If you type Steph's name into Google it lists a huge 4, 190, 000 page listings. This is a whopping supersize from the smiling energy bunny- yet not so much intrepreted as sexy by the public - Libby Trickett, whose Google result page lists 171, 000 results, (and 38, 00 from her maiden name Lenton). Despite having two golds from the Olympics, five from the Commonwealth Games and five world records, Libby pales in comparison when it comes to public notoriety to Steph, despite an equally successful and yet longer career in the pool.
However, the reality is that endorsements go to those who are most admired, and it just so happens that for women (and yes men too- but this is a female focused blog) admiration is not only about their sporting success, but also heavily due to their sex appeal. Hence Layne’s “you’re not worthy of support” comment that points to the reality that in terms of capitalising financially on their sporting successes, sexiness is the defining attribute that determines how big these endorsement can get. And with endorsements comes the ability to drum up support, and thus promote a longer and more recognised career.
However, the reality is that endorsements go to those who are most admired, and it just so happens that for women (and yes men too- but this is a female focused blog) admiration is not only about their sporting success, but also heavily due to their sex appeal. Hence Layne’s “you’re not worthy of support” comment that points to the reality that in terms of capitalising financially on their sporting successes, sexiness is the defining attribute that determines how big these endorsement can get. And with endorsements comes the ability to drum up support, and thus promote a longer and more recognised career.
In this pursuit, there is a tragic flipside where sporting inspiration has becomed eclipsed by thin-spiration. This SMH article refers to Tamsyn Lewis and her battle with anorexia after being told by a coach she was too fat, and the runner Suzie Rhydderch, whose hip collapsed - along with her Olympic aspirations - during a race in 2004 as a result of obsessive dieting.
With more girls looking up to models, socialites and pop singers, I hope the hard-earned achievements and notable ambitions of these remarkable sportswomen are not lost to a sex-obsessed, tabloid hungry society. That’s totally not hot.
7 comments:
Great post! I talked about it today here: http://becauseiplayedsports.com/2008/10/15/layne-beachle-surfing-and-body-image/
Very true! We all know about Stephanie Rice's love life and 'modelling career' yet most of us couldn't tell you her achievments in the pool.
With woman's sports usually taking a backbench to their male counterparts it seems that the sponsers are only interested in the attractive athletes regardless of talent, whereas even the most unattractive male athlete can get high profile sponserships.
It's a unfair world we live in!
This is such a sad thing. I mean, it's easy to see in sport magazines as well...you have to look no further than publications like ALPHA. It's so sad that they'll have a mag full of fully dressed men talking about their sporting achievements but the only female in it has to be half naked to get a run.
Also, the fact that Layne friggin Beachley thought she needed liposuction makes me really depressed. Not only does she have an awesome, fit figure, she's an incredible athlete. It's sad that she felt she had to resort to that to be marketable.
Firstly, Stephanie Rice is seen as attractive, but its her personality and behaviour that are getting alot of attention, and i think if the more 'wholesome' Libby Trickett carried on like that she'd get all that attention to.
I dont think that this is a phenomena centered totally around women. If you look at men, the good lookers like Roger Federa and David Beckham get alot more attention that the ugly ones - its the same thing.
And Maria, your comment about ALPHA - it is a men's magazine and those are the conventions of it. There are heaps of Cleo centrefolds of Aussie sports-MEN greased up and flexing, with towels loosely protecting their modesty... I dont think it is merely women that this happens to.
And, it that were the case, are the media necessarily to blame for it? Or does it fall on the public? Or, horror of horrors, perhaps the female sports stars shouldnt go around getting their kit off for raunchy ads and photoshoots if they have such a problem with it.
Unless of course they dont have a problem, in which case neither should we - so good luck to them!
@ sam's sport stupidity -
I don't think you're correct (at all).
You can't logically compare the objectification when it comes to men and women athletes in the media.
For example, take a look at their salaries - in order to make any $, female athletes are forced to "go around getting their kit off for raunchy ads and photoshoots."
Men like Beckham make the money based upon their performances, not necessarily their looks.
Thats a very interesting point Sam.
Though please keep in mind that this blog is not intended to polarise men from this issues. I did actually mention that men do also experience these issues, but as it is a female focused blog and I chose to keep within the perimetres of my target audience (women).
Although it is easy to assume that women who write about womens issues are blaming men, I have never broached this kind of mentality. It is men and women in society who shape the status quo- and I stand by that. I am merely pointing out how I see it, based also on my experiences as a sportswoman.
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