It's not presuming that it's about sex, it's that a lot of these athletes are riding a razor's edge and many fall into eating disorder territory.
This reporter, you, and I don't need to add any pressure that could tip an athlete into unhealthy eating habits.
There's a lot to comment on in this sport (preparation, mileage, race tactics, form, team dynamics, coaching, etc.) At the college level let's leave out physical appearance.
Well if he commented on how thin she looked, I would agree with you that Valby or her opponents might react with insecurity and disordered eating habits. Gaining muscle, however, requires the opposite of unhealthy eating though. You have to maintain at least a neutral caloric balance, if not a calorie surplus, and eat lots of protein which is exactly what athletes need!
So no, nothing the reporter said was rude, offensive or promotive of unhealthy eating habits. Tuohy and others here are overreacting, and the reporter has nothing to apologize for.
I don't think the argument was that gaining muscle was due to unhealthy eating habits, but with so many people having the stereotype of the best runners seeming thinner being called more muscular may result in the athlete questioning if she was becoming too muscular. This might make her nervous and not want to put on more muscle in fear of it being a detriment to their running and make her restrict calories more which could lead to an eating disorder.
Is there something I'm missing here? Commenting on an athletes muscle gain isn't offensive...like at all. It's pretty appropriate, actually, given the context. Saying that being "disgusted" by his observation is overdramatic would be a massive understatement.
Rojo is a dipstick for asking this question. Like most males, they really don't get what it's like being a woman and objectified from grammar school on up .They are dense ; caught up in their own masculine view of the world .I remember when Dwight Stone got all defensive after Allie O's righteous comments saying " I am on your Side "...oh really ...sheesh.They don't get the struggle so many women runners have with eating disorders and body image .So pointedly asking Parker about her body was unbelievably crude . So many men responding to this post are trying to compare women and men as equal when it comes to their body image . It's as different as Venus is from Mars .He was also inferring that she was doping. Rojo go back to your cave.
I do agree with this, however I don't think commenting on muscle gain is a bad thing. He could have worded it differently maybe, like "you looked strong out there" and ask about her strength training this season. But overall, I don't think the reporter necessarily intended to be objectifying her body.
And there you have it...Straight from the universal authority on all things qualitative and non factual opinions. Thanks for your contribution. I can hardly wait for your next enlightenment session.
Seriously, I think the “damn” comment shows some oversensitivity and immaturity. These are athletes. Athletes in other sports are often asked to speak to changes in body composition, which is related to their training. Basketball players, football players... they intentionally lose weight or out on weight if they believe it will result in improved performance or a competitive advantage. Imagine if college wrestlers went up in arms and got all offended every time they got asked a question related to making weight or moving to another weight class. Calling this question about added muscle mass “objectification” seems to undermine the notion that women’s xc is just as much of a sport as anything. I offer this perspective as a father of a female xc runner.
In this context, yes. He wasn't being weird or sexual, just noting an observation that could be related to athletic performance.
If your knee jerk reaction is to get offended and assume some sexual implication made by that comment, perhaps you're the one with some repressed thoughts that you're projecting.
It's not presuming that it's about sex, it's that a lot of these athletes are riding a razor's edge and many fall into eating disorder territory.
This reporter, you, and I don't need to add any pressure that could tip an athlete into unhealthy eating habits.
There's a lot to comment on in this sport (preparation, mileage, race tactics, form, team dynamics, coaching, etc.) At the college level let's leave out physical appearance.
If "a lot of these athletes are riding a razor's edge" on the road to eating disorder, then why is the NCAA allowing the sport to even exist?
A "lot" to me is at somewhere around 75%. If the NFL had those kind of numbers for long term head injuries, the sport would be shut down ASAP.
If the NCAA isn't taking action, then why aren't women's health organizations, medical groups, etc. petitioning to ban the sport until a solution is found?
At the very least, psychological tests should be administered yearly to the female runners to find which ones are susceptible to eating disorders, and those that are should not allowed to participate. I believe that all high school and college athletes have to undergo a medical before participating, in case there is something like heart problems, etc before they are allowed to compete.
Katelyn said the word “damn.” She did not make a post, did not make a statement, did not accuse anybody of anything. Why are so many grown men unable to cope with the fact that an athlete had a mild negative reaction to a reporter’s comment? You guys are whining and crying as if the reporter is being sent to jail.
It's not presuming that it's about sex, it's that a lot of these athletes are riding a razor's edge and many fall into eating disorder territory.
This reporter, you, and I don't need to add any pressure that could tip an athlete into unhealthy eating habits.
There's a lot to comment on in this sport (preparation, mileage, race tactics, form, team dynamics, coaching, etc.) At the college level let's leave out physical appearance.
If "a lot of these athletes are riding a razor's edge" on the road to eating disorder, then why is the NCAA allowing the sport to even exist?
A "lot" to me is at somewhere around 75%. If the NFL had those kind of numbers for long term head injuries, the sport would be shut down ASAP.
If the NCAA isn't taking action, then why aren't women's health organizations, medical groups, etc. petitioning to ban the sport until a solution is found?
At the very least, psychological tests should be administered yearly to the female runners to find which ones are susceptible to eating disorders, and those that are should not allowed to participate. I believe that all high school and college athletes have to undergo a medical before participating, in case there is something like heart problems, etc before they are allowed to compete.
Why isn't this being done?
No. That would imply that there might be differences between male and female athletes. Get with the times.
Takeaway: no female athlete wants to have comments made about her body good or bad, especially in public and by reporters. There is no good reason for it and makes women feel awkward. Stick to discussing the sport and performance.
Katelyn said the word “damn.” She did not make a post, did not make a statement, did not accuse anybody of anything. Why are so many grown men unable to cope with the fact that an athlete had a mild negative reaction to a reporter’s comment? You guys are whining and crying as if the reporter is being sent to jail.
This is correct. It is ok for a reporter to ask a female athlete about adding some muscle. (At least I hope it is). Katelyn's reaction was just that - an immediate reaction. Keep in mind, she is scrutinized in every way by a bunch of anonymous posters on this very board. So if she is a tiny bit sensitive to comments, cut this NATIONAL CHAMPION some slack. Did both Katelyn and Parker give fans the battle they asked for? Hell yes! Are they both classy? Yes they are.
Alright I'm going to pile onto this for no good reason. Honestly the reporter doesn't seem too bright. It's not the worst question in the world but he phrased it awkwardly. Should have more awareness about how rampant eating disorders in women's collegiate distance running. Also I think I heard someone refer to them as girls?? Errr, they're in college, they're women.
I don't follow Katelyn too closely, but whenever I watch one of her interviews she always seems genuine and grounded for being one of the best runners in the country which makes her easy to root for and fun to watch. It's no easy feat being a high school star and then a college star. I've being around high school national champions who went on to medal in the olympics and others who come nowhere near their potential in college. Wishing Katelyn all the best in the future and hopefully her success continues into the pro ranks.
Katelyn said the word “damn.” She did not make a post, did not make a statement, did not accuse anybody of anything. Why are so many grown men unable to cope with the fact that an athlete had a mild negative reaction to a reporter’s comment? You guys are whining and crying as if the reporter is being sent to jail.
This is correct. It is ok for a reporter to ask a female athlete about adding some muscle. (At least I hope it is). Katelyn's reaction was just that - an immediate reaction. Keep in mind, she is scrutinized in every way by a bunch of anonymous posters on this very board. So if she is a tiny bit sensitive to comments, cut this NATIONAL CHAMPION some slack. Did both Katelyn and Parker give fans the battle they asked for? Hell yes! Are they both classy? Yes they are.
...Tuohy is Valby's 'controller', she controls her in races and apparently controls what she thinks should be her reaction.