Shiffrin gets it

[pinto]

I read this on her twitter feed this morning:

"As many of you know, last summer I made the Maxim Hot 100 list. In the photo, I was wearing my jacket and my Olympic medals from PyeongChang...listed among a group of women wearing bikinis.... It was a conscious decision for me to show that - as a female athlete - you can be recognized for your sporting achievements rather than just your appearance. I'm not really the prettiest girl out there, but I work hard to achieve my dreams. As a woman competing in sports, it can often feel as though you are not recognized by your performance, but rather by your looks; whereas for men, "looks" are not the focus of the conversation. For me, it's a good feeling to look nice, but it's not the focus. I'm one of the fastest out there and I'm proud of my accomplishments in this sport, and that's what I'd like people to recognize. The Maxim Hot 100 was so awesome to me because it made a statement about not objectifying me because of my gender or appearance, but focusing on my accomplishments in skiing."

 

[Obrules15]

This sounds good, but she's referring to her inclusion on a Hot 100 list from a men's magazine that is specifically about looks. She choose to turn it into a skiing thing by choosing the image that was presented but it's still a list that is about appearances.

 

[Jenny]

It is, but if the audience they are trying to attract is at least exposed to her message then that’s all for the good. They wouldn’t see it if she just declined to be included. This assumes, of course, that she got to caption herself with said message.

 

[contesstant]

^^^ this. What better venue could there be to convey that message? I think I will show it to my daughter, who is almost 12, albeit an immature 12, but is feeling peer pressure more and more.

Thanks for sharing, @pinto.

 

[ilovepugs]

Huge Shiffrin fan here!!! Not only is she an incomparably talented skier, her messaging is always consistently about hard work, enjoying what you do and respect for all. She is uncommonly thoughtful. I love her!!!!!!

 

[Artis]

Even though she was on a `hot list`, she did not choose to be on there. I feel like this was an awesome way to stand up for women in sports

 

[elemmac]

This assumes, of course, that she got to caption herself with said message.

Even if there was no caption. The photo itself speaks volumes...a picture is worth a thousand words.

 

[Christy]

I also think it's nice that she and her team are doing what is best for her in terms of her race schedule despite pressure from others in the sport to race in EVERYTHING.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/11/...=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage§ion=Sports

 

[Christy]

The slalom race at the world championships today had some good drama. The Olympic Channel is repeating tonight primetime. Watching the last 5 racers (run 2 of course) was awfully exciting.