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Original poster

gymnastics, floor

88 replies

PassiveAgressiveQueen · 29/10/2015 20:43

I have been watching the gymnastics on telly. Last night was the mens, the floor routine was impressive, no element of choreography at all, just strong men bouncing around.
Whereas the women's is dancing,music and damn strong women bouncing around the floor.

Is this sexist?

OP posts:
slugseatlettuce · 29/10/2015 21:11

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IndomitabIe · 29/10/2015 21:06

The men finish with standing fairly normally and a nod to the judges, instead of the arms back tits out thing. (Which looks odd).

Shutthatdoor · 29/10/2015 21:04

it was all demonstrations of strength and skill.

As is the women's.

men also do 'wave arms around at end of and beginning of tumble runs etc

IndomitabIe · 29/10/2015 21:03

I was wondering this too, OP.

And all the cutesy flourishes, the crouch-and-stick-your-arse-out one, and the hand thing. The men don't do that. Do they get points for that?

There was one fairly masculine looking competitor, she appeared just as I was wondering how a less feminine competitor would cope with the glitter spray and full-face make-up look that seems to be required. Could they wear shorts with their leotards if they wanted to? Or is that not allowed? (You know, in case I find myself becoming a professional gymnast at 35).

I love gymnastics but the huge difference in expectation between men's & women's baffles me.

Original poster
PassiveAgressiveQueen · 29/10/2015 21:02

I have no terminology for gymnastics, yes the men's was choreographed but there wasn't any of the 'pretty' arm waving, it was all demonstrations of strength and skill.

OP posts:
NorthernLurker · 29/10/2015 20:58

I can't bear to watch beam. It must HURT so much when they fall off. Especially if they hit the beam on the way down.

pippitysqueakity · 29/10/2015 20:57

The men are choreographed, just in a different way. Did you not see the jumps they do to join set of movements? The floor spins? And the incredibly impressive hand stand from straddle balances. Not sure what else that is than choreographed.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 29/10/2015 20:54

Bugger - that was a stupid mistake for me to make, Shutthatdoor! Blush

It does seem a bit 'Men get to show off strength, power and skill, but women have to do it prettily'.

It is all bloody fantastic to watch, though - I tried to get tickets, but they were sold out. Sad

NorthernLurker · 29/10/2015 20:52

I think it might be about the basic aim of the gymnastics exercises - I think the primary aim of mens gymnastics is supposed to be to show strength. Womens has to show strength and grace - hence the different presentation and disciplines.
So yes it is a difference based on sex but given the difference in physical strength between men and women I don't think it's a difference which disadvantages women as such.

Shutthatdoor · 29/10/2015 20:50

Men don't do beam Wink

CocktailQueen · 29/10/2015 20:49

Men and women gymnasts do different disciplines - rings, pommel, parallel bars for men, asymmetric bars, beam for women. What's the problem?

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 29/10/2015 20:49

I am watching the gymnastics too, and was wondering why the women must include elements of dance on the floor and the beam, but the men don't.

NeedAScarfForMyGiraffe · 29/10/2015 20:46

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