the hysteria/hype continues

last week, my boss/advisor/hero wrote a blog entry about the cover of Sports Illustrated‘s Winter Olympics Preview, which features lindsey vonn. this entry has resulted in hundreds and hundreds of comments, companion blog posts, and visceral reactions. even perez has commented, saying,

“Lindsey is fully clothed from head to toe in competitive skiing attire and in a skiing position. It would be completely different if she was skiing in a bikini or portraying a sexed up snow bunny. Lindsey can’t help it if she’s attractive AND a great athlete.”

the problem with this kind of analysis is that doesn’t take into account the difference, however subtle, between being IN ACTION and being POSED in action.

i found a great comparison picture in this weekend’s new york times’ the magazine. in article about speedskater, shani davis, the picture below

shani davis, as seen in the New York Times Magazine

davis is an attractive guy. he’s wearing a tight uniform, specific to his sport, and yet … the context of the picture is different. i would say it’s absolutely clear that he is in the process of actually, skating, and that is where the cover of lindsey vonn falls short. regardless of whether or not she is in [a tight] uniform, or  whether or not she is pretty or ugly, or smiling or frowning, she is absolutely not in action.

lindsey vonn on the cover of SI

i think many out there are ready to let this argument go – and i agree – that the kind of public discourse that has resulted from this article has been interesting and illuminating, but not very functional, in some respects. it reminds me that in terms of coverage and the interpretation of the coverage of female athletes, we still have a very, very long way to go.