Thursday 17 November 2011

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO IMPROVE WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION AND REPRESENTATION IN TRIATHLON

COMMUNITY LEVEL)
Through my research I have found that the Australia Women’s Health magazine has recently created a new campaign for women in sport. This campaign includes ambassadors such as Cathy Freeman. The campaign also has people such as P.M. Julia Gillard and Olympian Stephanie Rice who have pledged their support. It would be great if this campaign could tour around the country running women-only triathlons. I think most women enjoy the social aspect of sport, so, this triathlon can be less competitive and more about creating awareness for women in sport.
(To find out more information or pledge your support for women in sport click this link: http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/womens-health/women-in-sport/)







SCHOOL LEVEL)

For a school-based solution, I think it would be a great idea if the school could organize to bring in respected athletes, dietitians, etc., to give the girls of the high school a talk about how to live a healthy lifestyle and break away from that body image idea that all girls have to look like billabong models. These special guest speakers could use triathlons as an example throughout their lectures with the aim of getting as many girls as possible to compete in a triathlon at the end of the term. This triathlon would be for girls only as I believe girls participate more when there are no men present as they can sometimes feel the need to be someone their not around men or they can also feel judged by men. Hopefully, throughout the term the speakers would have taught them how to live a healthy lifestyle and encouraged them to get out and just have a go. 

TRIATHLETE PROFILE: DOMINIQUE DONNER


Dominique Donner is one of South Africa’s top triathletes. She was ranked number one in 2001. An interesting statement is made by her personal webpage, the website admits: As one of South Africa's most beautiful sportswomen, 29 year old Dominique Donner's position as one of South Africa's top triathletes is often overlooked.”Dominique Donner is one of South Africa’s top triathletes. She was ranked number one in 2001. An interesting statement is made by her personal webpage, the website admits: As one of South Africa's most beautiful sportswomen, 29 year old Dominique Donner's position as one of South Africa's top triathletes is often overlooked.” (Dominique Donner, 2001-2007, (Online) Available: http://www.ddonner.com/home.htm) Although Dominique is an amazing athlete, this is often unnoticed as society seems to be more interested in the look of her body rather than the sporting ability of her body. Dominique is more commonly known for being voted ‘Sexiest South African Athlete’. Societies interest in Dominique’s body is evident as in the ‘Pictures’ section of her website displays 25 images which consist of magazine covers, sexy photo shoot photos and only 1 images of her actually racing in a triathlon. This just proves that society wants to watch her for her body instead of her awesome sporting skill. Sex defiantly sells. Dominique is an amazing athlete, this is often unnoticed as society seems to be more interested in the look of her body rather than the sporting ability of her body. Dominique is more commonly known for being voted ‘Sexiest South African Athlete’. Societies interest in Dominique’s body is evident as in the ‘Pictures’ section of her website displays 25 images which consist of magazine covers, sexy photo shoot photos and only 1 images of her actually racing in a triathlon. This just proves that society wants to watch her for her body instead of her awesome sporting skill. Sex defiantly sells. 

SEX SELLS


As proof that sex sells women triathletes, I typed ‘triathlete women’ into Google Images and within the first 6 images to be shown, 2 of them were as follows…



When I clicked on this photo to find out more information I was directed to a website, from which these images came, with an article that was titled “Poll top ten sexiest triathletes: who's the hottest triathlete of them all?” I then proceeded to type ‘triathlete men’ into Google Images to compare the results to the previous ‘triathlete women’ search. The first 6 images shown were of men in the middle of a race. These were not sexy photo shoot photos at all. These results demonstrate the extent to which society values men for their athletic abilities yet value women for their fit bodies. 

FIGUEROA'S FRAMEWORK: CULTURAL LEVEL

Ones culture, race and religion could play a large role in whether a woman participates in sport. For example, if a girl is Muslim and is required to wear clothing that is to cover all her body she may find it very difficult to participate in sport. However, it’s not impossible to compete at a high level as a triathlete if you are of a race that doesn’t approve wearing a reveling swimsuit. For instance, a Muslim woman can wear a burkini that is basically full piece togs that cover the whole body. This allows them to compete in sport whilst still obeying the rules and regulations of their culture. 

FIGUEROA'S FRAMEWORK: INTERPERSONAL LEVEL


Family, location and wealth play a big part in weather you participate or succeed in sport. Ones family and upbringing may put pressure on you to be someone that you don’t want to be as there may be a lot of pressure on you to become a famous dancer but all you ever dream of is becoming a triathlete. Also, location is massive in what one can participate in. For example; one might really want to become a surfer but they live in the middle on Australia. Clearly this is a very big problem as one wouldn’t be able to participate in surfing until they move location that is closer to the beach. Furthermore, wealth also plays a huge part in your sporting life as you may not be able to compete in a soccer team if your parents cant afford club fees, soccer boots, socks, uniform, etc.