Lindsey Vonn SI cover controversy

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The discussion centers around Lindsey Vonn's controversial cover for Sports Illustrated, where her pose has been criticized as overly sexualized, raising debates about objectification and sexism in sports media. Some participants argue that using sexuality can enhance visibility and success, while others express concern about the implications of such portrayals for women in sports. The conversation touches on the double standards in how male and female athletes are perceived and represented, with some asserting that Vonn's athleticism should be celebrated rather than scrutinized for her appearance. The debate also highlights societal attitudes towards female athletes and the pressures they face regarding their image and public perception. Ultimately, opinions vary on whether the cover is sexist or simply a reflection of societal norms surrounding attractiveness and athleticism.
  • #51
hmm, as a guy, i have to say that i find the fully-clothed skiing cover from the first post more sexual. this is because it appears that she is "presenting", that is, making herself available for reproduction.

the swimsuit shots are less clothed, but also less sexual.
 
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  • #52
Ivan Seeking said:
Long after that. I would say this was true well into the 80s. It was certainly true while I was growing up in the 60s and 70s.
The obvious case-in-point is the 1980 US hockey team which was a bunch of college kids against a Russian pro all star team, akin to a college all star basketball team beating a Dream Team.
 
  • #53
Ivan Seeking said:
Long after that. I would say this was true well into the 80s. It was certainly true while I was growing up in the 60s and 70s. It was common knowledge. There was no secret money system. At most one hoped to get sponsorship for training geer and other hardware.
WELL into the 80s. My young friend was training for the Seoul Olympics (1988) in the hope that white-water kayaking would at least be a demonstration event. One of the women coaching her gave me a short but pointed lecture about not doing anything in compensation for my lessons that might damage my friend's amateur status. They were quite serious about avoiding even the appearance of being pro or semi-pro in their chosen sport.
 
  • #54
i don't think she looks any better than any other skier. just check out this pic:

http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/pr/subs/swimsuit/images/10_lindsey-vonn_12.jpg
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010_swimsuit/winter/lindsey-vonn/10_lindsey-vonn_12.html

even with all the airbrushing sports illustrated probably does she still needs to get a face. you might say she's a "handsome" woman. :-p there are dozens of olympic athletes who look at least better & they don't sell out to sports illustrated
 
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  • #55
fourier jr said:
i don't think she looks any better than any other skier. just check out this pic:

even with all the airbrushing sports illustrated probably does she still needs to get a face. you might say she's a "handsome" woman. :-p there are dozens of olympic athletes who look at least better & they don't sell out to sports illustrated
I think her face looks better in the cover photo.
 
  • #56
Vonn won gold in the downhill. Not just another pretty face!
 
  • #57
Exactly - sex or no, she is fast :smile:

Have you seen Anja Paerson falling?
 
  • #58
Borek said:
Exactly - sex or no, she is fast :smile:

Have you seen Anja Paerson falling?
Not yet. NBC embargoes coverage until prime-time, so I'll have to watch tonight if I get a chance. I read that she went down HARD after almost 60 meters airborne - I hope she's not seriously injured.
 
  • #59
Eurosport transmitted live. I think problem was not when she landed after the fly (even if it wasn't controlled landing she still managed to land on the skis and heading in the right direction, she was just too far behind to keep balance), but she rolled after. Hard to say about injuries, after a minute or two she walked to the track side, but then she sit down or even laid back on the snow, I have not seen what have happened later.
 
  • #60
Borek said:
Eurosport transmitted live. I think problem was not when she landed after the fly (even if it wasn't controlled landing she still managed to land on the skis and heading in the right direction, she was just too far behind to keep balance), but she rolled after. Hard to say about injuries, after a minute or two she walked to the track side, but then she sit down or even laid back on the snow, I have not seen what have happened later.
I hope that she's not injured, and that she'll get to compete in other events she has qualified for. It would be sad to see a promising athlete knocked out of a competition that only comes around once in four years.
 
  • #61
Tell that to Petra Majdic - she won bronze today, but she was carried away after finishing; she was injured earlier today during training after falling into hole or ditch that was close to the track. You don't want to know what Polish comentators had to tell about Canucks.

This is OT, perhaps we should start an olimpic thread?
 
  • #62
Borek said:
Tell that to Petra Majdic - she won bronze today, but she was carried away after finishing; she was injured earlier today during training after falling into hole or ditch that was close to the track. You don't want to know what Polish comentators had to tell about Canucks.

This is OT, perhaps we should start an olimpic thread?
There already is one.
 
  • #63
And she wins the Gold http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-news/n/news/afp-news/alpine-skiing--vonn-wins-women's-downhill-gold_281828Mt.html
 

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