[AnalogReigns]

Are you saying that the Olympics should be men-only?

I just posted the story, and said I agree with the columnist. MOST (NOT all) of the female Olympic athletes look very masculine.

Not just breasts either, gestures, walk, grunts and shouts during competition, spitting, etc, etc. Lady-like female Olympians appear few and far between.

To me this is a sure indication that Western culture (and the Olympics are an epitome of Western culture) simply does not value femininity any more, at least in women...

Does that mean I think only men should compete? No.

[kara37]

Well, since we are on the topic. It doesn't seem like western culture values masculinity much either. Personally, I see more feminine looking men, then I see masculine looking females.

[wideawake]

gestures, walk, grunts and shouts during competition, spitting, etc, etc. Lady-like female Olympians appear few and far between

In terms of gestures and gait, we associate the notion of "ladylike" with elaborate and inefficient movements. In sports, quick, clipped gestures and efficient movements help you win - sashaying makes you lose.

Also, grunts are a normal accompaniment to intense physical effort for everyone (very few women, no matter how ladylike in their deportment, endure childbirth silently) and shouting is necessary in team sports - a lavender-scented note passed from woman to woman saying "I'm open" doesn't help in the middle of a soccer game.

When you're leaving it all on the field, you have to spit quite frequently depending on your sport - especially if you have allergies or a cold.