Podium girls

😆

Edit: at the pic.

My view is that, whatever the individual choices of the women involved are, the podium girl is a symbol of the ‘spoils of victory’ – the laurels, the trophy cup, the jersey, the trophy woman.

And that’s why it’s bad – women as an incidental adjunct to victory, objects to be won by the fastest and the fittest, willing to symbolically present themselves to whoever the winner happens to be.

Does the womens tour have podium girls? I know other womens world tour races have podium girls. How does that fit in with your view of the world?

So, does this offend you?

I’m not ‘offended’ by women doing it, I just think it’s unnecessary and the symbolism is archaic.

Men always come back with ‘but men do it too’ with anything where someone says women shouldn’t be put in a certain role or position that is exploiting their gender. Men do not have a long history of being given second best, being only valued for their looks. So when you see a male ‘podium girl’ there isn’t the same ‘trophiness’ associated with them being in that role – it can be laughed off, the tight gold shorts, the obvious genitals positioning – it’s not beign done in a pseudo sexual way, it’s ‘knowing’.

My issues with podium girls have nothing to do with the individuals concerned. I’ve read a few times over the years that the TdF podium girls tend to be highly educated, and generally very pleased with their lot. It would certainly be patronising to assume that they are somehow forced to do it against their will because they have no other employability (yes that’s a word) factors other than their looks.

Up until a few years ago I always thought “well, it’s a bit daft, and makes cycling look a bit dumb, but really there are many bigger things to be concerned about in the world than this”, but in more recent times (perhaps not unrelated to the fact that I now have a daughter), I’ve started to notice more the kind of ‘passive sexism’ of this kind of thing.

On its own, it’s not the end of the world, but it is another little subliminal message to the world that men do the important stuff and women just look pretty. I heard someone also point out that there is a kind of symbolism involved whereby it’s almost as though the race winners somehow ‘win’ the (attentions of) the podium girls. We just don’t need any of those kinds of messages seeping into the minds of young people. And in womens races!? Just crazy!

Ditching podium girls won’t fix the world, but it would be one easy little step in the right direction.

As far as I can see every poster on this thread bar one is a male..

the only lady to yet comment doesn’t appear to have an issue with it..which probably tells you all you need to know..

My tuppunce worth..i don’t really care either way. I’m assuming however that many girls would love to be have the job and those that do clearly don’t see it as exploitation, so I don’t really see an issue whatsoever.

Just like the brolly dollys at Moto GP, all a bit 1970’s for my liking. Fair enough if they mixed it up with male & female eye candy but they don’t as far as I know?

I just think it’s unnecessary

Whereas cycling up mountains for weeks on end is necessary…

I’m not ‘offended’ by women doing it, I just think it’s unnecessary and the symbolism is archaic.

This is my view, doesn’t bother me in the slightest, I also don’t get any gratification from the ‘podium girls’ but it’s all a bit old fashioned and unnecessary.

Or maybe nobody’s being exploited – they’re all doing a task they’re willing to do at the price offered.

I think society tends to operate at a level beyond ‘well they were willing to do X for Y amount of money so it must be ok’?

We collectively have decided that there are lots of activities that it is unacceptable for people to do regardless of their willingness to do it for money. As an off the top of my head example – working hours directive, peopel were ‘willing’ to work excessive hours and everyone argued ‘they coudl chose not to’ but if you feel you have limited life choices then ‘choice’ is something that has less meaning in that context. Equally for podium girls – just because the indviduals doing it are volunteers it doesn’t mean that it’s ok.

the only lady to yet comment doesn’t appear to have an issue with it..which probably tells you all you need to know..

Stats on Singletrack shouldn’t be relied upon?!

Whereas cycling up mountains for weeks on end is necessary…

I think you understand the distinction between participating in a sport and being presented to the winner as some sort of reward for victory. the former is a necessary, the latter to give the middle aged men of the sponsors someone to look at while they wait for the racers to arrive.

I think society tends to operate at a level beyond ‘well they were willing to do X for Y amount of money so it must be ok’?

I’m not arguing about ‘ok’ or not. I’m saying they’re not being exploited.

working hours directive

You can opt out of it.

it promotes ……… bad body image

Seriously have you seen a pro cyclist, probably thinner than the podium girls!!

Aren’t the rider and podium girls simply billboards for sponsors? In many ways there is little different from the male cyclists and the podium girls, apart from the podium girls have less risk of injury and death.

the latter to give the middle aged men of the sponsors someone to look at while they wait for the racers to arrive.

…and by giving the sponsor something to look at they increase revenue. So actually they’re contributing to the bottom line. You just don’t regard their job as ‘proper’ job wheras you do think cycling is a proper job. It’s completely subjective.

Had a bit of a google and I think I’ll put this up here and then walk away from the debate:

This past Sunday thousands of women joined forces to ride in solidarity for the Rapha Women’s 100, many of us followed that watching La Course with equal enthusiasm (and burritos!) Unfortunately, the most powerful images of women and the sport of cycling from this past weekend are going to be of Chris Froome and podium girls.

http://www.prettydamnedfast.com/blog/2015/7/5/nopodiumgirls

Aren’t the rider and podium girls simply billboards for sponsors? In many ways there is little different from the male cyclists and the podium girls, apart from the podium girls have less risk of injury and death.

That’s how I’m thinking.

In the bad old days didn’t 30 odd riders die of strokes. I doubt any podium girls did. Who was being exploited?

Dickyboy – Member 
Just like the brolly dollys at Moto GP, all a bit 1970’s for my liking. Fair enough if they mixed it up with male & female eye candy but they don’t as far as I know?

Dani Pedrosa has been using ‘Brella Fella’s for a while now.

I’m not sure whats worse:

or

😯

.which probably tells you all you need to know..

That a sample of one is not statistically significant….

On its own, it’s not the end of the world, but it is another little subliminal message to the world that men do the important stuff and women just look pretty.

This, it’s just another message to girls that looks are all that really matters.

being presented to the winner as some sort of reward for victory

Whoah woah, I didn’t realise that was what was happening! I think there are already laws against that sort of thing. 😉

We live in a time (and place) where women have absolute social, economic and political agency and are more than capable of using the abundant legal recourse available to them if there is any exploitation or abuse.

All I see here are attempts to deny that attractiveness should be a commodity. Whether it should be or not makes eff all difference. It is. Attractiveness pays and that will never change.

But hey, at least no one is getting exploited or abused eh?

We collectively have decided that there are lots of activities that it is unacceptable for people to do regardless of their willingness to do it for money. As an off the top of my head example – working hours directive, peopel were ‘willing’ to work excessive hours and everyone argued ‘they coudl chose not to’ but if you feel you have limited life choices then ‘choice’ is something that has less meaning in that context. Equally for podium girls – just because the indviduals doing it are volunteers it doesn’t mean that it’s ok.

Do you honestly think these girls do it out of lack of choice rather than because they want to?

Actually, now i think about it the bigger problem is one of equal opportunities in the workplace. They are saying that you cant have the job if you are a fat munter. I dont work in HR but I believe that is illegal, no?

Ok, its a thing from the past but some may say so what. Why does anything old have to be bad and all things modern have to be better. I can think of many things that are very much the reverse. If the ladies in question are happy to do it then surely no one has the right to say that they cannot. Same as porn.
Its all just marketing surely? I note that no one is objecting to the sponsors logos on the back of the stage. Same thing but these are more effective.
Finally , yet again why do those who are most “concerned” about this sort of thing and object actually have no respect to any one else’s views? To use the phrase knuckle dragger is obviously meant to be offensive. Sort of shows a lack of intelligence really. A phrase such as “those people whose entirely legitimate views are different from my own ” might be more reflective of the view point that is intended .

For God’s sake don’t watch a music channel on the TV some of you will explode with rage.

At least the “podium girls” are clothed and not being suggestive in any way. We have had to stop the 8 year old watching some music videos… But this is nothing new.

“indviduals doing it are volunteers it doesn’t mean that it’s ok.”
Yes it does! If you have the right to say such a thing they have the right to do what they want. You can’t have it only to suit you.
Why don’t people get this? 🙄

Dani Pedrosa has been using ‘Brella Fella’s for a while now.

Good on him 🙂 – I fast forward and just watch the racing so hadn’t clocked that

Sagan took a lot of flak for that incident pictured above and has apologised since I believe.

I’m assuming however that many girls would love to be have the job

Yep, but those mingers just ain’t got the body for it eh?

Actually, now i think about it the bigger problem is one of equal opportunities in the workplace. They are saying that you cant have the job if you are a fat munter. I dont work in HR but I believe that is illegal, no?

Actually, there are some jobs where looks / image are ‘acceptable’ judgement criteria.

I know 😯

“indviduals doing it are volunteers it doesn’t mean that it’s ok.”
Yes it does! If you have the right to say such a thing they have the right to do what they want. You can’t have it only to suit you.
Why don’t people get this?

So any paid activity is acceptable if you can find someone to volunteer for it?

PP – Imodium girls. Your best yet!!

Well said CG. Seems clear who’s in control and who’s exploiting/using who….

If everyone involved is doing it willingly, I don’t see a problem. I do see a problem though in this current penchant for some people to dictate to others what they should and should not be doing and in some way assume it a righteous cause. It’s not.

For God’s sake don’t watch a music channel on the TV some of you will explode with rage.

At least the “podium girls” are clothed and not being suggestive in any way. We have had to stop the 8 year old watching some music videos… But this is nothing new.

This. Not saying it’s right but……Well groomed women in pretty dresses dishing out chaste kisses i’d be cool with my teenage daughter seeing.

Most of the imagery that teenagers get exposed to these days portrays women in a much, much harsher light.

Yes it does! If you have the right to say such a thing they have the right to do what they want. You can’t have it only to suit you.
Why don’t people get this?

Ok, I’ll bite.

they have the right to do what they want.

We should carry on using asbestos/whatever in industry because there’s bound to be people who will volunteer to work with it despite the known risks?

Or do we say ‘actually, this thing you want to do we as a society (or whatever) have decided is inappropriate for anyone to do regardless of their personal willingness to do it’?

If everyone involved is doing it willingly, I don’t see a problem.

So any paid activity is acceptable if you can find someone to volunteer for it?

I take a deep breath whenever I see a thread like this, the moment it’s shared on Facebook you get the knuckledraggers out posting depressingly offensive comments.

But to echo a point made earlier, the majority of us who’ve commented on this thread are middle aged males, I’m no exception myself.

They have the right to do it.. and if that troubles you, you have the right not to look.. You do not have the right to tell them what they can or cannot do.

They have the right to do it.. and it it troubles you, you have the right not to look.. You do not have the right to tell them what they can or cannot do.

So any paid activity is acceptable if you can find someone to volunteer for it?