Ann Killion’s article, “Inside Olympics” brought up some very good points about women sports in the United States as well as globally. What really stood out in the article and to me was when she stated, “The U.S. women have won 58 medals to the men’s 45 and 29 gold medals compared to the men’s 17 (par. 5).” From my viewpoint, this could mean a few things. Are U.S. women striving because of Title IX, or are we seeing a generation that is conveniently being born to be some of the best women athletes we have ever seen? I cannot say that Title IX has anything to do with women’s actual athletic abilities, but rather these women never dropped out of their sport because they never got a chance, which Title IX enabled them to.
The London Olympics was one for the record books for the United States all around. Both the men and women’s basketball teams won gold, which provides support for the NBA and WNBA having the best players and leagues in the world. So why does the NBA attract more fans than the WNBA, if women basketball players are technically more dominating winning their fifth straight gold medal? Title IX might not be found in other places around the world but why in the U.S. are attendance numbers lower in a popular sport for women compared to the rest of the world? Killion indirectly asks similar questions by saying, “The most famous athlete in Ireland is boxer Katie Taylor, whose fights here drew crowds of more than 10,000 to big screens set up in Ireland” (par. 8). There is not a chance a U.S. female boxer gets that kind of crowd in a few matches put together.
Title IX has made great strides in promoting and supporting women athletes so keeping women in sports is not the issue. The United States and women sports needs to see a movement or change happen to increasing attendance numbers at games. Without crowds and fans, women’s sports leagues could see cuts making Title IX less applicable.
Jeff,
ReplyDeleteI personally think that American women dominating in International competition is directly related to Title IX. Women in America have so much more opportunity to succeed in sports than other countries. More programs are available, women are encouraged to participate, and they are seen as equals to men. (Maybe not equally as popular, but legally equal) Women in other countries and cultures may not be given the opportunities and encouragement that women in America are. It definitely gives us an advantage.
-Andrew Hayes
I definitely agree that women in America are considered more equal than opposing countries that participate in the Olympics. Also, saying that the United States has an advantage because we have Title IX brings up a very strong argument. I think it would be appropriate to say that the women's basketball team has won five straight years because not only are they better all around, but because they got more opportunities to play it gave them a step ahead of any other nation.
Delete- Jeff Kravetz
DeleteJeff,
ReplyDeleteI do not think that Title IX has had a direct effect on the talent, however I think that it has allowed women to display it. Often growing up I remember the best athletes being girls but as we got older girls got less opportunities. With Title IX I feel females are finally getting that shot at showcasing their abilities. Along with this, females start to receive the training options that men have had for so long, helping the execution part of the game to be heightened so that can be competitive in international sports. Encouragement and confidence can go along way with an athlete and I think the combination of all these elements has helped to put our women's sports at an elite level.
-Hunter Haas
I agree that it has allowed them to display their talent with more opportunities, which gave me the idea that it could have an effect on talent since the more you practice the better you will be. If the United States has more opportunities than other countries than females are exposed to more playing time. Encouragement is a good way to put it because the more you encourage young athletes to stick with the sport they enjoy then they will want to play and practice more, which could have the biggest effect on talent.
Delete- Jeff Kravetz