Rio women's sports, starting with rugby 7s

[KanyesVest]

Disclaimer - I know nothing about sport, and less about rugby.

I've just watched the final of the women's rugby 7s and I thought it was brilliant. Strong, fit women who look like strong, fit women, playing a fast, physical game and wearing kit designed for form and function. I really enjoyed it and will put on a repeat tomorrow for dd to watch a bit. She's only 6 and loves running, jumping, climbing, football, etc, so it will be nice to show her these girls women can and do.

If anyone can suggest other highlights for me to catch, I'd appreciate it.

[Sunnyshine]

Put the gymnastics on for her to watch , incredibly strong fit women, working hard and determined to get to the top of there rankings. Gorgeous outfits fit for the purpose of gymnastics and performing amazing routines, beam, bar, vaults. Surely any sport that woman play and are determined at means they are an amazing role model ?

[Grimarse]

I can't think of any particular sport not to watch. All show athletes and sportswomen at the absolute peak of their sport. Unless you mean GB athletes doing well?

My wife loves the women's weightlifting. The strength and technique is unbelievable. GB women's hockey and rowing will be top quality. Hockey is a brilliant sport to watch - speed, skill, stamina and not for the squeamish!

[sn1ce]

I was going to say hockey-the GB women's team are great. Strong, fit, determined, skilful and brave-that ball hurts!

[TrionicLettuce]

I was going to suggest the women's weightlifting, it's amazing!!

It's (sadly) not an Olympic sport but

though not as good as league

[KanyesVest]

Wow, Needs, she is one impressive woman!

I'll happily watch anything suggested, thanks. I am in awe of all the athletes in Rio. I'd forgotten the pain of a misjudged hockey ball

[Grimarse]

Your daughter might be a bit young for heptathlon, OP, but Jess Ennis vs. Katarina J-T at the week-end will be a titanic battle. Hopefully gold and silver between them. Both world-class, both supremely talented.

[KanyesVest]

Oh, is that this weekend? I think Jessica Ennis is amazing, so we'll definitely catch some of that.

[KanyesVest]

And the men's diving hands just completely shattered my notions about the suitability or otherwise of sporting attire...unless glue is involved, those trunks are remarkable feats of engineering.

[Grimarse]

I hope KJT pushes her all the way - she's from my home town and she she should assume the crown when Queen Jess abdicates. It should be fascinating. Plus your daughter will get to see athletes capable of more than one skill, which can be a real inspiration for those who love lots of different sports.

[deydododatdodontdeydo]

I can't think of any particular sport not to watch.

Precisely.
The Olympics is in my opinion one of the most equitable sporting events, with equal coverage and prestige given to most events, with the possible exception of men's 100m sprint being seen as the headline event.
Personally, the female archers are amazing, especially the Koreans who would beat many of the male archers if they competed side by side.

[grimbletart]

I would give beach volleyball a miss though. Men dressed in normal shorts and vests. Women, natch, in skimpy bikini bottoms and crop tops. 'Tis the rules apparently. wonder why? (Sarcasm alert).

[thedancingbear]

It's not the rules, Grimbletart. Competitors from various Arab countries wear full body covering for example. And lots of female athletes wear gear comparable with the beach volleyball players. I assume it's primarily a comfort thing.

[Grimarse]

I'm pretty sure the volleyball players can wear what they like.

[Jubaloo442]

I second the gymnastics. Not a thigh gap in sight. Strong, athletic teamwork and simply wonderful to watch.

[Grimarse]

If we have a problem with body shaming and young girls starving themselves to look like twig-thin, malnourished cadavers, isn't the Olympics a good example of what a healthy human body actually looks like?

[Mide7]

I get what you're saying Grim and I love to see the female athletes built for function but I wouldn't a pro sports person body is particularly the model of health.

[grimbletart]

//www.bustle.com/articles/171814-what-is-the-2016-olympic-beach-volleyball-dress-code-heres-how-the-rules-have-changed

Ah, I see the rules have belatedly been changed this year to take account of religious and cultural sensitivities (not of course of the fact that there may be women who don't want to wear bikini pants up their arse because they don't want to wear bikini pants up their arse).

Previously the rules were so prescriptive that the bikini bottom was not allowed to be wider than 2.76 inches. Now, why might that have been I wonder?

Not sure which is the most ridiculous - bikini pants halfway up your arse or a full culturally approved body suit on the beach.

What is wrong with the perfectly sensible vest and shorts the men wear?

[SpaghettiMeatballs]

Shelley Fraser-Pryce running the 100 metres.

DD came home from pre-school last week saying a boy had told her girls can't run and don't have muscles. I showed her SFP's 2012 final and explained she is the fastest woman in the world and much faster than the boy at nursery. DD was happy with that!

[hunnybunny46]

Beach volleyball - As a 'conventionally attractive' woman myself, I'm delighted to see that slender appealing women have a place in the olympics, as it is dominated by shemen with armpit hair - it's not empowering; it shows lack of grooming. It's amazing that athletes show such dedication to their bodies but can't take 5 minutes to remove body hair! Certainly encouraging DD to take part in this volleyball now!

[Felascloak]

I'm feeling cross about females in the Olympics now. DH just told me about a nice example of a commentator remarking "and there's the man who made it all possible" on a camera shot of the coach of a gold medallist woman.
I was coincidentally reading this utter bilge about those most mysterious, vapid creatures, teenage girls. qz.com/753198/simone-biles-and-the-us-gymnastics-team-are-the-culmination-of-40-years-of-teenage-superiority/
Then DH told me about this gem too www.buzzfeed.com/gracespelman/and-the-gold-medal-in-mansplaining-goes-to-this-guy?utm_term=.sodZvVPR9#.ytL0NOJ1w

Huh.

On the plus side, I absolutely love this. The team looks amazing www.ruck.co.uk/team-gb-womens-rugby-sevens-get-rio-2016-kits-off-promote-body-confidence/

[grimbletart]

hunnybunny: s a 'conventionally attractive' woman myself, I'm delighted to see that slender appealing women have a place in the olympics, as it is dominated by shemen with armpit hair - it's not empowering; it shows lack of grooming.

Hmmn. Can't say I noticed a lot of female armpit forests on the Olympics. Did notice a lot of male armpit forests though. Obviously a lot of men who don't care about grooming.

[JenLindley]

Why on earth would athletes be bothered about taking 5 minutes to remove underarm hair? Who the fuck cares what their underarms look like? weirdos, that's who.