‘All black podium’

[BWPodium]

In Simone Bile’s interview she said ‘it’s an all black podium for the first time, which is super exciting’

Whats your thoughts on this? Is it ok / positive thing to say? Unneeded? etc

I understand this is a first for woman’s gymnastics and a few years ago the sport was built around what looked like under fed teenagers so brilliant for the sport that it’s opened up to other body types and therefore makes a positive however, what about sports like 100m sprint that has traditionally always been tall African builds, if by any miracle three white men were on the podium, would saying this be acceptable?

Are you white or black?

I don’t think it’s for a white person to comment how a black woman feels about black representation in her sport. I haven’t counted what podiums have looked like over the history of the Olympics, but if the majority have been all white, then yes, you can bet that’s a problem.

The last diversity statistics of the olympics I can see are from 2011 – in which 91% of winter Olympians and 81% of summer Olympians were white – that’s a problem.

And yes I think celebrating an all-white podium would be tragically inappropriate. Events such as track, which tend to have more black representation, are not that way, as often thought, due to physical differences of being taller and longer limbed, therefore white people might seem to be ‘the underdog’, it’s because track events are the only affordable sport in which African countries are able to train.

It’s a positive thing to say. It means the sport has become more diverse and open. It may inspire little girls who historically wouldn’t have seen themselves represented in the winners to give it a go and either achieve amazing things, or even if they don’t, just have a new hobby and a good time.

It’s not the same as 3 white men winning. It is hardly like there’s a shortage of representation there!

I would have thought Simone herself was an inspiration for black girls. I don’t see why she needs to comment on black dominance of the podium.

An all white podium wouldn't be anything to write home about. It was the norm in all sports until quite recently and still is for the majority, especially if the sport requires money to get heavily involved with.

I think it reflects the experiences Simone would have had growing up in grassroots Gymnastics when it was a nice thing for white girls to do to look feminine.

And then as she reached competitive levels she probably got a lot of comment about being the 'wrong body shape' for it as the ideal was a white 18 yr old with an eating disorder.

Women's gymnastics has changed dramatically to value sporty, athletic women, the time when your career was over age 21 are thankfully gone.

If only figure skating could do the same.

I see it as a positive

Well she’s specifically talking about gymnastics & it’s quite remarkable. She is/will be a massive inspiration.

I’m guessing you’re an “but all lives matter” kind of person?

Simone Biles is a class act. Determined, resilient, hard working, talented. She's been an inspiration for black girls and women. She's noting achievements, reflected on an Olympic podium. Cause for celebration, I would say.

I also think it’s nice that these gymnasts look super strong as opposed to very thin.

This.

I don't see the issue with her making an observation and commenting on it?

Yes, it's good to see women with muscles.💪
How they defy gravity! Simone's vaults are something else.

It highlights the fact that this is accessible to girls and boys of colour. They have their own role modes to look up to. Good on her.

If you can see it you can be it. This is positive and inspirational for all the little black girls that can dream and believe this can be them.

Nothing but positive.

Models...

Should she be the only inspiration? Should black girls see that one person manages to make it or should they see black people on unquestionable even footing?

Hmm.. if the men’s 100m podium consisted of three white men would a similar comment be acceptable?

As a white woman I agree with Simone completely.

I think it's a good thing, it's a break from the norm and good for little girls to have numerous black role models not just Simone (and i say that as someone whose olympic watching this year has been limited to the snazzy budgie smuggler guy 🤣)

@if by any miracle three white men were on the podium, would saying this be acceptable?

Why would we point out something which shores up the status quo? Historically, have the lives of white men been such a tale of struggle and oppression that we need to celebrate their ability to overcome that and succeed on the global stage? Or is it perhaps worthwhile remembering that fewer than a hundred years ago, Simone wouldn’t have been able to have a seat on a bus in the US, or go to the same school as white children, or use the same toilets as the white girls, and perhaps maybe think she has a really valid point about what an important moment this is?

Bit different. White Men are hardly lacking in representation though, are they?

On the 100m podium they are!

That sounds fine? Given the composition of America it sounds something to celebrate for gymnastics, that it is accessible to society. It won’t be all black all the time probably, no harm in celebrating that it is this time. I still remember the only time in my career in a male dominated industry that I’ve been in a roomful of a project team and it was all women. One time.

I'm sure those looking for offense could easily find it, but it would be quite unusual for an all white podium for the 100m so I'm sure many would just think ah yeah and move on. I also don't think white men are overly comparable in terms of the impact representation in professional level gymnastics as black women but hey ho.

If she had said I'm so glad there aren't any white women on the podium, if she hadnt been on the podium (unlikely I knoe as she is incredible) and said wish it was all black women, or glad I don't have to share the podium with white women then sure, but that's different to observing it's an all black podium and finding that an amazing feat.