Sam's Sport Illustrated Swim Suit Edition came in the mail today. Without really thinking about it, I threw it on the table with the rest of the mail. While I was cooking dinner, I flipped it open and saw all the usual gorgeous bodies in tiny bikinis. No surprise there.
That is, until I flipped open to the section featuring four of the girls on the Olympic ski and snowboarding team. Lindsey Vonn, Hannah Teter, Clair Bidez and Lacy Schnoor were all featured in the most provocative poses. Two of the girls were topless. When I went online to find a picture to put with this post, every one of the girls was topless in at least one picture. The one I included was the least offensive of the bunch.
I know I'm going to sound like a prude saying this but I don't care. I have no problem with the SI models posing in the bikinis and being as risque as they want to be. But these four women are athletes. They are role models whether they like it or not. So now little girls are learning it is not enough to just be a great athlete--you have to be sexy and provocative too. Worse yet, these women are representing the United States. Shame on you four. Have a little dignity. Show some pride in your country and your sport. I'm disappointed.
I can already hear Sam's comment "Hate the game, not the player."
36 comments:
As an aficionado of the Sports Illustrated (SI) Swimsuit Issue, let me offer some insight. For the last several years, SI has dedicated a small portion of the Swimsuit Issue to “Athletes.” I believe it started with tennis players, such as Anna Kournikova and the Williams sisters. Over the years, it has evolved to include race car drivers (Danica Patrick) and Olympic athletes (Amanda Beard). To be honest, I have never been a fan of the section. I would prefer to see more of the professionals but that is a subject for another day.
With the Winter Olympic Games about to start in Vancouver, it makes sense that SI invited some female Olympic athletes to participate in the Swimsuit Issue. While some may find certain shots risqué, I think the photos have been tastefully done in a way that celebrates the Olympic spirit. Citius. Altius. Fortius. Remember that some of Winter Olympic disciplines, such as snowboarding, attract a wild and rowdy bunch. Perhaps with that in mind, Hannah Teter decided to let loose and reach out to her target audience by showing some skin. And Lindsey Vonn wears a couple of skimpy combos. Was she supposed to sport a tankini?
Should these Olympic athletes be condemned for their photos? I say “nay.” I don’t see why they should be held to a higher standard than the professionals. I would be more disappointed if they tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. They are simply celebrating the Olympic spirit by participating in the legendary Swimsuit Issue. Believe me…Uncle Sam is proud.
Remember, s/he that is perfect should cast the first stone. In the quiet heart is hidden, sorrow that the eye can’t see.
Finally, hate the game, not the player.
I think it cheapens who they are--they are Olympic athletes and now they've posed in bikinis so that men can ogle them? It's almost like to a man you can't really be awesome unless you look hot in skimpy outfits--those Olympic medals just aren't enough!
Brooke...I might have to disagree with you a little. While it's true that it should be enough for these girls to be amazing athletes, they need to get out there and raise awareness (and money) for their sport...it's not the NBA. Also, I would rather see healthy athletic bodies than the anorexic, never-going-to-be-me bodies of the professionals. In the body issue, they had a amputee triathlete...as well as women Olympic weightlifters and shot putters(not exactly a supermodel figure there). So, I say...bring on the athletes. Plus, that red one piece that Clair Bidez is wearing... adorable... and where can I find some of those furry boots?
Sam's comment was hilarious as usual, but I agree with you!
The double standard for female athletes is embarrassing and depicts them as objects rather than people. It's sad really.
Heather,
I see your point about raising awareness and money for the sport but in the same issue, there were girls in bikinis from Dancing with the Stars, including Chelsea Hightower. I wasn't the least bit offended by the dancers because they were dancing in their bikinis and not straddling things and fondling themselves. Half the pictures of these snowboarders and skiers showed them pulling down their bottoms seductively like "come and take me!" And of course, the topless pictures--come on.
Oh, the irony of wearing a coat over the tiny white bikini. I think that's my favorite part of the whole thing.
And I'm with you Brooke. The whole thing is laughable. Just because other athletes have done it over the years doesn't make it any more okay. When was the last time you saw some legit male athlete posing in his thong? It's a double standard. Men don't have to "promote" their sport that way. Good grief girls, put some clothes on and hop on the front of a Wheaties box, would you?
hands down, i agree with brookie all theway. the swim suit issue is gettinig a little over the top as far as the topless crap goes...even the provocative poses in bikinis, really?...these swimsuit issues have absolutely nothing to do with "athletics"...it's all merely to make sick men drool. period.
Skeezy and lame. If I had a daughter who loved one of these girls I would NOT want her to find out about the not-so-soft p*rn.
Did Heather just say that the only way a girl can raise money is by taking he clothes off?
No...I did not say they can only raise money by taking their clothes off...of course I would rather they not be skanky. Some of the shots were cute and I wish they had used those. But I am a realist and I can see that these athletes feel they have to do this to get recognition which equals sponsors and money. I would not show these pictures to my daughters...but I wouldn't show the Victoria's Secret catalogue to my daughters, either. Also...I get Outside Magazine, and they have both women and men ski team members posed provocatively, so apparently it's not just the women.
Just so I can keep track of things. When you leave a comment condemning these women, can you please indicate if you are Team Jacob or Team Edward? Thanks.
I agree with you Brooke. It's a shame they went topless.
Sam, neither. :)
I say Sam needs to give up his addiction to "soft p*rn".
Cancel his subscription, or shred the magazine. That's how I would play the game.
The amputee triathlete photos were truly inpsiring! You got to salute the bravery. The Olympics just bring out the best stories! The human spirit is real.
Hey Man-d-double-e, you said it girl! This stuff has gotten out of control. You are smart not to let it creep into your marriage. Keep it strong!
Mandee, it's a subscription, not an addiction. And there is this thing called the Internet where Sports Illustrated provides everything online.
I thought about cancelling the subscription, but then I remembered these words, "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things"
i agree with mandee...me, myself, and I canceled the trash 8 years ago! my boys are at an age now that i don't want that stuff sittin' on the coffee table.
sam...to be completely honest, i had no idea what "team jacob" or "team edward" were. had to look it up! sad, maybe. call me out of touch, maybe. but i like to think i just have good, plain, simple taste!
One question: what would the Haitians think?
Brooke,
Unfortunately you are supporting this crap by subscribing (or allowing your husband to subscribe) to the magazine and having it in your home. Way to go. So you can't complain as long as your household is forking over money for the magazine.
I'm just sayin'
Brooke,
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for this post! I've been waiting for someone of your stature to say something like this for some time. I haven't subscribed to SI since high school and for many years have wanted to again, but there is always that one barrier - the Swimsuit issue. It seems to always get in the way of me enjoying the great Pics and Articles (because I do read it for the Articles)that SI has to offer.
But now, after learning that Sam gets to subscribe and Brooke even delivers the magazine from the mailbox to the kitchen table, and even peruses its pages. I can go to Liz and with confidence defend my periodical subsci-adiction.
I can't wait for Brooke's post on the poor service she got during last week's family night out at Hooters or how she accidentally let her "Lingerie of the Month" subscription run out.
I can't believe Liz suggested I read this....Thank Heaven for the Tender Mercies of the Blogosphere!!! this!!ascript:void(0);
I just read it for the articles
I know I'm in the minority, but I could care less about the swimsuit edition. It just doesn't bug me. Bikini's? Meh.
Is it trashy and a little skeezy? Sure. But so is The Bachelor and the sex suite with 2 different guys.
I don't think Sam should be in the doghouse.
The anonymous comments 1-3 and 5 belong to Romney. They are art. Number 4 belongs to a spineless reader who should have the courage to stand next to his/her self righteous statement.
Bill, were you emasculated before or after the wedding?
The Mostess, you are wise and have the perspective to recognize this issue as the tempest in a teapot that it is.
I forgot to mention how the Swimsuit Issue can be used at church. I once taught a lesson on the resurrection and used the Swimsuit Issue to show the class how the human body will appear in its perfect state.
So you might want to pick one up for Gospel Doctrine.
I've waffled for way too long about leaving a comment here, but I can't resist!
I think the bigger question here is why is this ok at all? We would never allow a smutty magazine to be brought into our homes, but because it's SI, it's somehow okay? Save yourself the trouble and toss next year's issue in the trash can on your way into the house. Or, better yet, call and cancel that issue...when we've had SI subscriptions in the past, I've just called and asked that the swimsuit issue not be sent...they have that option.
I'm sure I sound way over the top right now, but after witnessing way too many family tragedies due to porn addiction, I think there is simply no place in our homes for this stuff. AND, I love Sam, and am sure he is no porn addict, but, I think, as wives and mothers, we can aid our husbands and sons in being honorable men, by being careful about what we allow into our homes.
AND, Brooke, I think you're a great wife and mother--no judgments here...there are certainly things I do that I would be better off changing or doing away with entirely. This subject has just been on my mind recently, and I think that we can all do better.
I sure hope this hasn't come off too preachy!! You know I love you guys!
Gwen,
Seriously. This would make a fantastic "name withheld" Ensign article. It isn't easy to talk about thses things, even in a blog. But I truly know that many are in need of your words. I used to work with Sherri Dew's secretary and can forward her e-mail to you. Thank you!
Brooke, I am so glad you did this post. When our SI Swimsuit came I contemplated throwing it the trash, or leaving it out for my husband to decide. I finally decided it had to go because I didn't want my almost 9 year old boy to see it. I felt a bit guilty about not letting the husband decide what he wanted to do with the magazine, but now I am thinking I made a good call. -I didn’t see the athletes section, but I sure I would side with Brooke.
I can't figure out why the magazine is called the "Swimsuit Issue" because swimsuits are hard to find, it should be the "topless" issue.
BTW, the Victoria Secret catalog came today, and found it's way in the trash as well. -I just saying
Sam, Emasculation seems to be where you are headed my friend. I think it officially happened to me on December 11th. Since number four is on it's way, I'd be happy to give you the good Dr's name.
Brooke and Sam you make me laugh!!
Brooke I love that you post about anything and everything.
Sam, Sam, Sam...this made me think about the good old days. When we were younger you made me laugh so hard with all the things you would say. "I will give you a nickel...." I won't end that!!
PS. Team Jacob
Brooke - do you ever think Sam is trying to hijack your blog?
Sam - You have argued your case in such a passionate and logical way Have you ever though about a career in law?
Brooke - I agree with you completely, it is such a crock that women athletes have to sleaze it up in order to be noticed by the media, isnt being an olympian enough? Great post.
Sam - Team Whoever can make that twilight crap disappear.
i'm not a mormon, and i'm not even an american..... Burlington, Ontario.....but you are correct, it is STOOOPID the way everythign is turned into some dumdum celebrity superficial LOOK HOW HOT I CAN BE sort of thing......i guess younger folks ( and hey i'm only 40 years old ) just dunno how so much going on out there is such superficial, peer pressure junk, they cannot see it.... one day i bet they will...
Who wouldn't want to see Serena Williams in a skimpy bathing suit? Her f-bomb laced tirade at the US Open last year was especially a turn on, particularly when she told the lineswoman that she would stuff the f*!@ing ball down her f*!@ing throat if she could. I for one am in no position to question another's use of profanity, seriously.
Wow. I honestly thought when I posted this last night that I would hear crickets...I never thought I would get this kind of a response and I love that everyone has an opinion.
When I wrote this, I wasn't as concerned about the swimsuit issue in general as much as I was focused on how inappropriate I thought it was for female athletes to pose so provacatively.
But after reading your comments, I have decided that I really have no need for the entire issue in my home. Luke is turning 7 and Sammie is turning 5 and I don't want either one of them seeing the mag and getting the idea that women should be objectified like that.
So, I will be cancelling the swimsuit edition. Sam can "read it" online if he is so inclined.
Okay, I'm going to get churchy for a moment. I have been thinking a lot lately about the tools Satan uses to destroy women. I think one of his best weapons is that he gets women to not understand who they are or to feel like they don't measure up to some cheap, hollow, phony standard of beauty.
And I think it is even worse for teenage girls (having worked with them in the youth organization of my church, it was disturbing how many have such low self-esteem.)
P*rn, in general, exasberates the problem. But I think this particular swimsuit issue is especially harmful 1)because it is so mainstream and many families are getting it in their homes who would never be receiving other types of p*rn and 2) they are using Olympic athletes/rolemodels to pose seductively.
Okay, I'm getting off my high horse. I appreciate all the comments. It got me thinking today.
Not sure where to post this but I wanted to ask if anyone has heard of National Clicks?
Can someone help me find it?
Overheard some co-workers talking about it all week but didn't have time to ask so I thought I would post it here to see if someone could help me out.
Seems to be getting alot of buzz right now.
Thanks
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