‘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?

What is "a black dominated sport"? Do you mean events which black people have succeeded in? Hasn't that been explained many times?

Have you just like… been completely oblivious to the entirety of the 20th century civil rights movement? Is this thread your first time learning about it?

What do you mean by "runners"?? Sprinting is different to middle distance which is different to long distance and marathon.

There are many cultural factors at play. Also, if you can't figure out why black people did not participate or were very limited in numbers, from the US and the UK, in the early part of the 20th century then you really haven't got much historical awareness at all.

Olympic sport used to be strictly amateur only. You had to be able to fund your lifestyle and training separately to your sports achievements, so if you were wealthy you had a massive advantage.

Your racist is leaking!

I'm talking about your OP and everything you've posted since. Grim.

it's almost harking back to the bad old days when it was really difficult for non-white athletes to have any impact in many sports.

Is this comment serious? The 'bad old days'?! Do you think it's all sunshine and rainbows now then?

FWIW my primary school aged DD was recently called a black bitch, by a white male, while playing her sport.

People on here have no idea what they're talking about. I'm glad DD got to see black excellent displayed on the world stage.

It's unbelievable isn't it?

You're not hiding your racist opinions as well as you think you are, OP.

I am not suggesting that the entire world revolves around this element of racial discussion. I responded to the original poster's question, which concerned Black athletes. I am not suggesting that there isn't more nuance to this.

It's just embarrassing to show themselves up as being so ignorant.

Oh have black people had a difficult time then? I had no idea! <wide eyed innocent face>

Fuck off.

This kind of thread people are always genuine. They’re ‘genuinely interested’ and definitely not shit stirring.

What a cesspit this place has become
shameful

Hiding this now. It's turned into an absolute cesspit of racism and whataboutery.

indeed. if the OP is soooo fascinated about why black people excel in athletics then why did she create mumsnet thread about the first gymnastics all black podium instead of using google?

It is an event to be remarked upon - considering the history of women's gymnastics.

Just as with sports like tennis, it would be unusual for there to be two black male Wimbledon finalists; or indeed two working class finalists!

Ah, I know this one. Because it’s a ‘discussion forum’ and they ‘want to hear other people’s opinions.’ Genuinely.

In a nutshell. I'm finding this exhausting now, I really don't know what else to say.

And if there's any racism on here it should totally be reported, that's awful, they can't quite believe it, they've never seen any?

Well said.

What’s your thoughts on the topic OP?

@SaintHonoria I'm not prepared to open The Federalist. If you want my comment, please C&P.

@C1N1C I thought the whole "let's ignore colour" approach was discredited back in the 80s..well meaning but totally off the mark. As a pp said, the point is to notice, accept and celebrate diversity, acknowledge that PoC have had to overcome (and still are) centuries of direct and indirect racist attitudes and restrictions. If you ignore that, not comment on the fact of three black women on the podium you are ignoring the additional factors they have had to overcome to get there.

I can't imagine how that had never occurred to you!

I expect not many Africans, outside the elite, could have afforded country club fees to learn tennis & golf, or dressage and eventing.

No not true, as I said upthread it is sprinters who are normally black due to lung capacity. They also tend to be muscular.

Middle and long distance runners are almost waiflike in comparison.

Just like basketball players tend tall.

This is where I find the irony amusing...
You don't want to see colour, otherwise it is racist, but you want to celebrate diversity, meaning you have to acknowledge 'colour gradients'.