We are one week into the 2016 Summer Olympics. The gymnasts have left the building and the track and field stars have taken their place. The swimming competition is winding down with Michael Phelps looking forward to his final swim in the relay. And the Americans have done a yeoman’s job of standing on the podium. I’ve loved it all.
But I must say I’m becoming disgruntled with NBC’s presentation of the Games. Frankly, it seems sexist. There has been more coverage of the men’s events, even though American men have taken a back seat to American women – Michael Phelps excepted. There have been comments about the men’s athleticism while the women have been described by their clothing and their beauty. Simone Biles, for instance, has been called the next Usain Bolt or the next Michael Phelps. To which she replied, “I’m the first Simone Biles.”
I get what NBC was saying, that Ms. Biles is in the company of Bolt and Phelps. But it could have said just that, acknowledging her singularity without being sexist. Still, Trump and Clinton have to compete with athletes for national attention for another week. So I’ll take it.
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