Innate Sexism within theOlympic Rules

Men are required to wear “a tank top and shorts” whose design:• “must be with open arms”

Women are required to wear “a top and briefs” or “a one piece uniform” whose design:• “must be with deep cutaway armholes on the

back, upper chest and stomach (2-piece)”• “must closely fit and the design must be with

open back and upper chest (1-piece)”2012: Women may choose to wear “shorts of a maximum length of 1.18 inches above the knee and full-coverage tops with sleeves”

Turn and Talk

• Choose someone that you have never spoken to.• Question:• Has the 2012 rule change done much to diminish

the sexist gap between men and women?• NO because it was meant to bring in more

competing countries where wearing bikinis is forbidden.

• How has the fact that unequal uniform regulations exist done much to create sexism?

Actual photos from the Olympics

• Actually on the website of NBC Olympics• Great Bodies, Bikinis, and More

What do these shots portray?

• The stories of each athlete are diminished• Emphasis is placed on each athlete’s bodies• You cannot immediately tell who they are, their facial

expressions, their passion.• This is true of women• But you saw that many of the male photos shown gave

full-body images.• What does this say about women versus men when it

comes to what kinds of photos are perpetuated in the media today

Now what if?

• Every Olympic sport were to be photographed as is women’s beach volleyball?

• As you look at the images, ask yourself why you may be feeling the feelings you are feeling.

Turn and talk

• Did you find any of these images to be discomforting?

• Why do you think those feelings were running through your mind?

• Is this blogger’s approach to exposing the public to sexism appropriate?