When it all comes down to face (and body) value

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.

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.

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.

Overstating the Underage?

I was feeling very nostalgic looking at some Beijing Olympic videos today. It was one for the books, not only for the spectacular show by the Chinese, but all the drama that went down- mainly the dodgy activities of the Chinese officials!

One of my favourite scandals was the allegations shot at gymnastics gold medallist He Kexin (pictured above) claiming she was competing at the ripe age of 14. Only 10 days ago did she finally get cleared of charges by the IOC of competing underage (16 is legal age) despite very convincing evidence that indicates otherwise. But despite all the heat and drama, I can't help but take a revisionist standpoint and question why Kexin competing underage was really such a huge drama.

It made me wonder, are age restrictions really necessary?

So to refesh your memory, during the Olympics speculation about Kexin's age made for headline news, which then called for an "emergency investigation" by the IOC after she had won her first gold. Many people were appauled by the alleged cover-up.

Former gym champion Bela Karolyi made this very firey comment to the Los Angeles Times:

"These people think we are stupid...We are in the business of gymnastics. We know what a kid of 14 or 15 or 16 looks like. What kind of slap in the face is this? They are 12, 14 years old and they get lined up and the government backs them and the federation runs away. There is an age limit and it can't be controlled."

What I don't understand is, why is it such a big deal that 14 year olds compete? I understand she breached the rules, but really, is this 14 year old really at such an advantage to justify her being potentially stripped of her medals?

In terms of Kexin, it's not as she's on the roids, and she hasn't bribed the judges- her only crime was (allegedly) competing underage, and yet she was one of the biggest scandals to come out of the Olympics. Thirty-eight thousand google listing of pages responding to "He Kexin underage" is evidence of this. If she is indeed 14, she goes in with less experience than the older girls, and a somatotype which would bear no advantage to the musculature and skills of a girl at 16+. Although I have been told her youthful lightness could serve as an unfair advantage, I question whether these are legitimate grounds for restricting younger competitors, considering that perhaps there would be many 16 year olds lighter than her, and yet thus allowed to compete.

I say:

"Leave He Kexin allloooonnneeeee"

I will even go so far as to suggest that perhaps age restrictions should be done away with, and instead the competitor be judged solely on their ability. Say Kexin is 14, which I believe many people are still convinced of, then isn't it more of a scandal that the IOC would stop this extremely gifted gymnast, who has proven herself as number 1 in the world, from competing on the grounds of her age!? I have heard arguments that 14 is too young because they are not ready for it etc, but what gives the rule makers authority to judge these athletes maturity and psychology?

This video has a cool discussion on the issue: (Just a head up, the introduction of this clip is tragically stupid, so skip to 1:04 mark if you don't want your intellegence insulted)

- Watch a funny movie here'>ftp://
Too Old (or Too Young) for the Olympics? - Watch a funny movie here

Let me know your thoughts!

We salute you Surfing Sista!

Our very own Manly beach rat, and greatest female surfer of all time, Layne Beachley has announced her retirement today.

With seven world titles under her Billabong belt, this surfing legend has left little more to be achieved in a career that has inspired and motivated a movement of female surfers, not only in Australia, but around the world.

"I'm really proud of the impact I have had on women's surfing and I feel blessed to have been in a position to inspire a whole generation of surfers to pick up a board and experience this wonderful sport,'' she said in her press conference.

Surf legend Kelly Slater, a nine time title winner gushed in his statement by naming our Layne as the greatest female surfer of all time.

"She has continued to blow minds and shatter records with her surfing style, technical ability and focus. She will be missed in the surfing world," he said.

Thanks Layne for making Australia proud! And on behalf of sporty sistas around the globe: we salute you!

Check out Layne carving the waves in Fiji!

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