Should we have podium girls?

[observer]

is there podium boys for the womens races?

 

[Netserk]

is there podium boys for the womens races?

Unfortunately not

 

[Afrank]

Once we start to see cyclists continuously groping/pinching or harassing podium girls, then it will be time for them to go. But that isn't happening and isn't likely to happen. The Sagan situation was a isolated incident, which I'm sure he has learned from. Besides, it's a tradition of cycling, no point in ending it now.

 

[Bavarianrider]

What's the message behind using podium girls?
The winner gets hot women for free?
We might just aswell give the winner a prostitute instead of a champagner bottle.

It's a silly ritual which doesn't belong in sports.

 

[The Cobra]

Yes - http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=3430

 

[Netserk]

 

[woodenswan]

should we have girls?
should we have podiums?!
HOW BOUT WHEELS? JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE ROUND THEY THINK THEY'RE SO ****IN BAD?! SMUG. GET RID OF 'EM!

 

[Caruut]

So? It's always nice with some eye-candy

(there is a reason why woman's beach volley is more popular than men's)

I would say that the attitude that eye-candy is a valid addition to the sport is part of the problem.

Women's beach volley ball is more popular than men's, because a lot of men are silly. I don't get it, we have the internet, why do people need to watch volleyball to get their fix.

 

[The Cobra]

I would say that the attitude that eye-candy is a valid addition to the sport is part of the problem.

Women's beach volley ball is more popular than men's, because a lot of men are silly. I don't get it, we have the internet, why do people need to watch volleyball to get their fix.

Marketing guru's have been making money off pretty girls since time began. It's human nature, why should cycling not profit from it also. Or is cycling so overflowing with fans/sponsors/money it doesn't need to bother...

 

[Caruut]

Marketing guru's have been making money off pretty girls since time began. It's human nature, why should cycling not profit from it also. Or is cycling so overflowing with fans/sponsors/money it doesn't need to bother...

It happens, no-one is contesting that. However, just because it happens doesn't make it right. In fact, I would argue that the potential negatives of the widespread promotion of women as sex objects makes it wrong.

I would remind you also that the thread is about should cycling keep podium girls, not will cycling keep podium girls. Being the most commercially viable option in no way makes it right.

 

[Tyler'sTwin]

I find it disturbing how many of those who cry sexism actually have really demeaning views towards these women. Phrases like "pieces of meat", "bimbos" and "objects" have been thrown around by podium girl naysayers. Is that how you view them? One side of the coin is going "sweet, bimbos!" *pinch* and the other is thinking; "what are those bimbos doing here?" ... Maybe I don't see the problem because I don't look down on podium girls? I don't view the job as demeaning. I think it's okay for a woman to enjoy being appreciated for her looks. I think it's okay for a man to appreciate a woman for her looks, a symptom of a condition known as "being a heterosexual male". And I think that's possible without viewing the woman as a piece of meat, an object, a bimbo, a *****, not worthy of respect, or whatever. I wouldn't want the podium ceremony to be borderline softcore porn with women prancing around in bikinis like ring girls, but podium girls are, for the most part, pretty classy looking. I've never thought the ceremony is tactless and sexually suggestive. Of course, that was before I found out what the spraying of champagne represents! Maybe some of you guys just have a dirty mind?

 

[Pippo_San]

So are we back in the middle ages? Witch hunting anyone?

Oh dear. How long do we have to keep this ridiculous discussion going on? No one forces a woman to be a podium girl FFS.

NO-ONE.

You want to be entirely respected and not treated like an object? You behave accordingly!

How many great sportswomen, since they were also good looking, started to make naked calendars and things like that just for fame and money?

I'm stuffed with all this hypocrisy. Completely stuffed.

 

[hoerpi]

Podium girls is just weird and make me want to switch channels. The podium is for the best cyclists, noone else.

 

[The Cobra]

It happens, no-one is contesting that. However, just because it happens doesn't make it right. In fact, I would argue that the potential negatives of the widespread promotion of women as sex objects makes it wrong.

I would remind you also that the thread is about should cycling keep podium girls, not will cycling keep podium girls. Being the most commercially viable option in no way makes it right.

Ok... cycling should keep podium girls because it needs the money

 

[greenedge]

I voted yes- but if any further events happen- the issue will have to be reconsidered/ riders get penalties.

 

[King Boonen]

Ok... cycling should keep podium girls because it needs the money

I'd be willing to be a fairly large amount of money that absolutely zero fans would stop watching cycling if there were no podium girls. Podium girls do not bring in sponsorship.

 

[hfer07]

really?

are you fvck!ng Kidding me??? is this thread for real??????

 

[King Boonen]

Yes, how can I leave out Podium Androids (aka Robots), the new species that is up and coming, sorry.

Local Dignitaries? Aren't they in enough trouble with their shenanigans (aka Sexual Escapades) without getting them (he or she) up on a podium with rock hard athletes?

There doesn't have to be anyone on the podium with the winners, is it really that hard to understand? Someone hands over the trophy and then they celebrate, on their own, like every other professional sport.


And yes, adultery, links to organised crime, weird sexual kinks and a history of money laundering are all prerequisites for holding a position in local government in Europe.

 

[veganrob]

OMG, yes, absolutely we need podium girls.

 

[movingtarget]

Basketball and NFL has cheerleaders. Boxing has it's girl walking around the ring between rounds. Hollywood has it's red carpets. It's showbiz and adding some glamour. Football has the players walking onto the field with kids. The PCers have not caught up with that one yet. Grand Prix has the girls on the track before the race and when the drivers finish. Cycling is probably the only one where there is physical contact. Most of the riders behave themselves and some sometimes look a bit embarrassed and awkward with the whole podium girl situation. I am in two minds. It is a bit outdated but it does add some glamour to the podium. I guess it's the sponsor's call. They could always get a wrinkly politician or an ex pro cyclist to present the prizes. I like the tradition in some golfing tournaments in the USA where the winner is awarded by the previous year's winner. Nice touch. No pun intended.

 

[gooner]

It's not the reason why we came to watch the sport in the first place so they wouldn't be missed if they were to be removed. They "eye candy" excuse should be a redundant one in this day and age and beggars belief that it is still used as means to continue their existence. Not just cycling should be flagged up, other sports come to the fore as a lot worse in this regards like the way the UFC use Arianny Celeste and others as a way to promote their organisation and the ridiculous show that Barry Hearn has done in darts. It makes you wonder is it more sports entertainment than actually sport itself here.

Taking Jane Aubrey's column into account, while I agree with her criticism of Sagan, I don't see how she can link the lack of coverage in Vos's win to what Sagan did on Sunday. You can't tell me that this place would of had a thread with many posts hopping from one to another or that there would be more media coverage of her win in general if Sagan didn't do what he did. Nicole Cooke's comments are more appropriate here with her highlighting the many races struggling with sponsorship to survive due to the UCI's apparent ignorance in promoting it down the years. Sagan's behaviour is not the reason why the sport has this inequality in it's coverage.

 

[alitogata]

is there podium boys for the womens races?

Unfortunately not

So for what equality between the sexes are we talking to? Who says that women athletes and women funs don't like handsome sexy masculine podium boys?

Anyway.. I'm against podium girls for as long there are no podium boys.

 

[ElChingon]

Well there is no need to form a line for Podium Boys, at least till there's Women's races scheduled

 

[jaylew]

Maybe I don't see the problem because I don't look down on podium girls? I don't view the job as demeaning. I think it's okay for a woman to enjoy being appreciated for her looks. I think it's okay for a man to appreciate a woman for her looks, a symptom of a condition known as "being a heterosexual male". And I think that's possible without viewing the woman as a piece of meat, an object, a bimbo, a *****, not worthy of respect, or whatever. I wouldn't want the podium ceremony to be borderline softcore porn with women prancing around in bikinis like ring girls, but podium girls are, for the most part, pretty classy looking. I've never thought the ceremony is tactless and sexually suggestive.

I agree with this. I guess the problem is that some do look down on them or figure that it's ok to treat them in a disrespectful manner.

 

[movingtarget]

I agree with this. I guess the problem is that some do look down on them or figure that it's ok to treat them in a disrespectful manner.

Pretty much. It was a non issue until now and as usual in today's society and the age of the internet, one silly act creates a lot of hysteria.