Comments on: Thoughts on Bras, (Soccer) Balls, & Bikes

By: nmlavoi

nmlavoi — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:20:51 +0000

Beth,
These distance differences are completely arbitrary and antiquated. It makes no sense, not does the 3 set v. 5 set difference in pro tennis. Another way to ensure there is a “better” and “less than” version of the same sport, and a way to keep the “better” version, the male version. thanks for the post! -nml

By: Beth

Beth — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:05:41 +0000

Belated comment on this post…but I was volunteering at the National Cycling Championships this past week and was struck by the differences in the event distances for males versus females. For example in the criterium races, the Under 23 women competed for 30km while the 17-18 boys competed for 45km. Similar differences in distances held in the other events. The question is WHY? Clearly this pattern is tied to the false belief that females are not physically strong enough to endure the same distances as males. After spending any amount of time with these elite female cyclist, there is no question that they are strong and fierce athletes. Of note, one of the Under 23 women was the one who pointed out the distance disparity to me as she scoffed at it…obviously, she wanted to compete for 45km.

By: nmlavoi

nmlavoi — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 04:06:50 +0000

Ken…You have illuminated a very important observation! Thank you, your insights are always welcome here. -nml

By: ken

ken — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:20:44 +0000

Nicole–
There are women in the Tour de France! You can’t miss them. They flank (but stand one step below) the stage winner, the yellow jersey winner, the king of the mountains, etc. during the podium presentations after each stage. They are always in identical dresses carrying flowers and they kiss the winners!
And thus we see that women are integral to the tour! If women were actually riders in the tour with the opportunity to stand on the podium who would do all the kissing and flower-presenting?

By: nmlavoi

nmlavoi — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:55:58 +0000

NLo,
I was shocked on how little information existed on women’s cycling compared to the men. I thought I was missing something! Thanks for your comment.
-nml

By: NLo

NLo — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 21:18:40 +0000

A freind of mine competed in the women’s version of the Tour de France a number of years ago. As we all know, the Europeans also struggle (maybe even more than US) to recognize women in sport. So it’s no surprise that following the women’s cycling tour is like searching for a needle in a haystack! Great example from this athlete/freind of mine…she won the silver medal in Athens in the women’s time trial. No one new it or heard of her, but Lance got some press for his bronze in the same event!