When a male athlete dominates a sport, we talk about his strength, strategy, and stats. When a female athlete excels, we still hear about her body, her outfit — and sometimes, her looks matter more than her medals.
Let’s not sugarcoat it: female athletes are relentlessly oversexualized in media coverage. Headlines highlight "bikini uniforms" over "record-breaking runs." Photoshoots spotlight abs, not achievements. Commentators comment on appearance, not performance. Why? Because clicks, ratings, and views are still driven by objectification — not merit.
It’s 2025, yet sports media still treats women as eye candy first, athletes second. Remember when Serena Williams was policed more for her outfit than praised for her dominance? Or when Olympic beach volleyball coverage seemed more interested in zoom-ins than scores?
The worst part? It’s often framed as “empowerment.” But is it empowering when an athlete’s sex appeal becomes more marketable than her skillset? When sponsors choose body over ability? Or when a teenage gymnast trends not for her routine but for how she looks in a leotard?
This isn't just sexist — it’s sabotage. It undermines credibility, reinforces stereotypes, and tells young girls: your body is your currency, not your talent.
We don’t need less coverage of female athletes. We need better coverage — focused on grit, goals, and greatness, not glam shots.
Let’s not sugarcoat it: female athletes are relentlessly oversexualized in media coverage. Headlines highlight "bikini uniforms" over "record-breaking runs." Photoshoots spotlight abs, not achievements. Commentators comment on appearance, not performance. Why? Because clicks, ratings, and views are still driven by objectification — not merit.
It’s 2025, yet sports media still treats women as eye candy first, athletes second. Remember when Serena Williams was policed more for her outfit than praised for her dominance? Or when Olympic beach volleyball coverage seemed more interested in zoom-ins than scores?
The worst part? It’s often framed as “empowerment.” But is it empowering when an athlete’s sex appeal becomes more marketable than her skillset? When sponsors choose body over ability? Or when a teenage gymnast trends not for her routine but for how she looks in a leotard?
This isn't just sexist — it’s sabotage. It undermines credibility, reinforces stereotypes, and tells young girls: your body is your currency, not your talent.
We don’t need less coverage of female athletes. We need better coverage — focused on grit, goals, and greatness, not glam shots.