I love my sport and I want to ensure that it is protected and nurtured so that the discipline can continue to flourish. It's really important to make sure that the commission has a mix of people working in the sport and I will be putting forward lots of ideas. I'm really passionate about getting new people, especially more women, into the sport so this will also be a focus for me. – Rachel Atherton |
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Rachel did a great job, but there are more examples of 'unprecedented' achievements in female cycling. In 2012 Marianne Vos was WC road cycling, Olymic champion road cycling, WC cyclo cross and won the Giro d'Italia. Pauline Ferrand-Prévot was WC road cycling, WC MTB XC and WC cyclocross at one time in 2015. Jeannie Longo was for instance WC time trial when she was well in her forties. These achievements are just unthinkable in male cycling. So I think you have to be realistic when you compare these performances and realize that the level of competition does have something to do with it.
Rob asked why Rachel is so much more dominant than the other ladies, and Claudio replied saying it's probably because she rode with her brothers from a young age.
Yes, Claudio is correct in saying that will have helped her, of course it would have. We all know Claudio is a nice dude who meant no harm by that comment as well.
But you surely can see why she reacted in slight ill-taste. Day in day out she busts her ass off in the gym and training in general to be the best she can be, and she gets a reply from Claudio saying her success is largely down to ANOTHER PERSON.
That is why she was pissed. And personally I understand that.
Claudio is a nice dude who meant no harm by the comment but she deemed it necessary to publicly humiliate him.
UCI WC DH
Crankworx
Hardline
Rampage (sometimes)
Fox Hunt
BDS
etc etc
Paying women "equally" just because they are women is sexist. Taking money away from people who rightfully deserve it is immoral.
Does that athlete bring in views? Does that part of the race day bring enough audience and advertisement revenue?
Has it actually increased participation in womens events?
There's no doubt that Brititsh women dominate at the top level, and I'm sure it's in no small part due to the BDS but has the standard increased at all levels for women?
PB recently ran an article about the changes to WCs which reduced the number of women in the finals. Many cited the safety of the riders and the lack of ability for some competitors to get down the course. These would be riders who would have previously featured in televised finals. Does this change your opinion of the merit of your approach, given it is generally accepted that any one of the top 20 men (again, where British dominate) can win and not just 'survive' at WC level? It's safe to say that the competition for such prize money is generally far higher in men's DH. Should the amount of prize money not reflect that, or do you take the view that women like Rachel work at as much of their capacity as the men do and that should be rewarded?
Imagine if girls showed up to rampage. Rode like girls, did a bunch of 10 footers and maybe a weak bar turn or two. And made the same money as the real winners?
Things between the legs. That is true sexism.
It's harder to succeed and win in a mens field; It's only fair the higher cost and risks required to win should be recognised and suitably rewarded.
Trying to get my wife into it, any tips?