BBC BMX Commentary

[iamruth]

AIBU to be annoyed that the woman commentating on the highlights coverage on now on the BBC of Beth Schrieber keeps making comments like “she’s doing really well, rising that bike like a boy”, “taking that jump just like one of the boys” she’s just won GOLD and you’re saying she’s doing well because she’s doing it like a boy? I despair! She’s doing it like a skilled rider and athlete, and exactly like a girl.

I agree the commentary was a little bit patronising. But how inspirational was that ride? An athlete who put so much in that afterwards she could not walk. I did not know anything about BMX prior to this, but it was exciting and fun to watch.

@korawick12345 all your waffle basically distracts from the whole point of the post, Reade, in my opinion, was wrong to say Beth was good because she rode “like a boy”. What Beth’s dad thinks doesn’t hold any more weight in the debate than anyone else’s opinion. You haven’t commented on anything other than “her Dad said it was ok”. I merely highlighted the fact that, as a man, he is generally less likely to be picking up on those (arguably) sexist comments than a woman might.

@Brainwave89 she was incredible - what a shining example for girls everywhere. Her tenacity to get there too should be hugely applauded (whilst we ask questions about why she had to go through that and make positive changes for the future)

[quote iamruth]@korawick12345 all your waffle basically distracts from the whole point of the post, Reade, in my opinion, was wrong to say Beth was good because she rode “like a boy”. What Beth’s dad thinks doesn’t hold any more weight in the debate than anyone else’s opinion. You haven’t commented on anything other than “her Dad said it was ok”. I merely highlighted the fact that, as a man, he is generally less likely to be picking up on those (arguably) sexist comments than a woman might.[/quote]
I don’t have an issue with your point, I have an issue with the petty way you post. You didn’t merely highlight anything, your posts have a patronising ‘Womansplaining’ tone, exemplified by the random accusation I was a man.

Tbh I thought Shanaze's commentary was so enthusiastic & even though I totally see your point, it was refreshing to hear a commentator just say exactly what she was thinking at that exciting time.
Sexism is rife in sport especially all aspects of cycling but it seems a bit much to single out Shanaze for what was essentially some enthusiastic cheering on.
It didn't detract from the amazing achievements of Bethany & Kai.
Amazing pic on Guardian's front page today too.

@Furloughlaylow
That's disgraceful!

@TopTabby to be clear and to highlight what I said in my original post I am not referring to her commentary of the race itself but her commentary/punditry on the BBC Highlights show later in the day with Jason Mahmood. It wasn’t cheering on, it was her breaking down the race afterwards and making those comments. I think both occasions would be unacceptable but I could pass up in a live race commentary more than what she said in the highlights show afterwards.

There have been several things that have annoyed me with the BBC commentary, to be honest. I thought the gymnastics commentary about Simone Biles was unfair on the other athletes - several times it was mentioned that now she's pulled out, the others had a chance to win. That's just undermining the work they've put in to get there. They may well have won anyway! They're incredibly talented gymnasts, and Simone was never a dead cert to take the gold, no matter how good she is or what she's done in the past as everyone can make mistakes in routines (as was indeed shown in her last performance before she pulled out).

I'm hoping filters down to grass roots. We have girls and ladies training nights to encourage girls in the sport. We cant even get local counsel to put water or toilets to the race track.

BBC sports coverage is and always will be fucking shit.

I especially hate the highlights packages. 5 minutes of sport followed by 20 minutes of comedy segments and shit interviews with some distant mate of the plucky gb athlete who came 8th about how inspiring they are.

@LindaEllen I didn’t watch that but that would annoy me too! Whilst I applaud Simone for her honesty which but have been so difficult it is wrong to imply that anyone else will now win just because she has withdrawn!

@Hankunamatata I really hope that you are right. My daughters don’t take part in athletics but it is the same in the sports that they do play. It is taking far too long for this supposed “equality” to reach grassroots sports and yet still so many are so willing to just accept casual sexism on the international stage - its endemic still and too many people are willing to accept it with “oh it happens everywhere”.

[quote iamruth]@LindaEllen I didn’t watch that but that would annoy me too! Whilst I applaud Simone for her honesty which but have been so difficult it is wrong to imply that anyone else will now win just because she has withdrawn![/quote]
*must not but. We need an edit button!

I was watching the gymnastics the other day and was really irritated by the way the women have to 'dance' to music and do the whole cheesy grin shit while doing the floor exercise, whilst the men just have to do the tumbles and show a few other moves. The skills involved are the same yet the women are expected to do this extra frivolous nonsense for no discernable reason.

@Hankunamatata - is this BMX? Get in touch with British Cycling if so - they have a BMX technical commission and a female BMXer on their main board who may be able to advise. www.britishcycling.org.uk/about/article/bcst-contact-Board-of-Directors-Board-of-Directors-0

@Furloughlaylow I don’t know about most of the rowers but Helen Glover definitely went to a normal comprehensive school, she did really well at athletics but not rowing as unsurprisingly Humphry Davy School doesn’t have a lake... She was talent spotted as part of a drive to recruit rowers for potential completion, I think based on her other sporting performance and her height?

[quote FoxgloveSummers]@Furloughlaylow I don’t know about most of the rowers but Helen Glover definitely went to a normal comprehensive school, she did really well at athletics but not rowing as unsurprisingly Humphry Davy School doesn’t have a lake... She was talent spotted as part of a drive to recruit rowers for potential completion, I think based on her other sporting performance and her height?[/quote]
This isn’t quite right. Helen Glover excelled at a range of sports representing her county and country. It’s not as if she suddenly appeared from nowhere!

[quote SweatyBetty20]@Hankunamatata - is this BMX? Get in touch with British Cycling if so - they have a BMX technical commission and a female BMXer on their main board who may be able to advise. www.britishcycling.org.uk/about/article/bcst-contact-Board-of-Directors-Board-of-Directors-0[/quote]
Sadly I think being in Northern Ireland we come under Cycling Ulster which umbrellas under Cyling Ireland even though we are UK 🙄

Bmx racing is fab especially for neuro diverse kids - boys and girls. Its individual but has a real camaraderie that let's them make friends on own terms, not too intense as they are riding track. It really is awesome. They have even sucked me into training in my 40s

@Hankunamatata ah yes, you will come under Cycling Ireland. It might be worth getting in touch with her anyway - she’s great, and may know someone over there who could help, either with funding or to put pressure on the local committee.

Periods, lack of toilets when menstruating, or changing areas, unsuitable kit etc are many reasons why girls don’t stay in cycling - it’s the type of cause she’d get her teeth into if she thought she could help.

If she rode it like a boy she would be well ahead of the rest. Just because men are faster fitter and stronger because of biology. Women's sport isn't the pinnacle of human achievement unlike the mens sport.

@iamruth
Fair dos