HIGH ON THE WOKE METRE
Whether it is taking a stand against sexualisation of one’s uniform or stepping down for the sake of one’s sanity, this Olympics is all about self-awareness
According to the IOC, the ongoing Tokyo Olympics is one of the most “gender-balanced” quadrennial events in history, with 49% women and 51% men participants out of almost 11,000 Olympic athletes. Tokyo Olympics 2020 has gained steam on social media not only for high sporting standards but also the ‘woke’ incidents paving the way for more women in sports.
Be it 25-year-old defending champion Simone Biles prioritising her mental well-being over medals or the German gymnastics team performing in fullbody suits instead of the traditional leotards to counter the sexualisation of the sport, women are calling the shots at the global platform. It’s also been reported that breastfeeding athletes were allowed to bring their babies to the games, making it an exception for athletes with babies.
Back home, after the historic win of Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, sporting fans are now citing inspirational stories of athletes like boxers Mary Kom, Pooja Rani and Lovlina Borgohain, golfer Diksha Dagar, sprinter Dutee Chand and sabre fencer CA Bhavani Devi.
WONDER WOMEN
Despite their struggles, women have been proving their mettle and breaking records at sporting events that were once maledominated. Khyati Gulani, a former cricketer and coach at Delhi Cricket Association (DCA), points out, “Modern times are very conducive for women athletes and they are expressing themselves and not just focus on winning. When India’s Dutee Chand disclosed that she was gay, she found a whole section of society hailing her as an athlete despite another group who judged her for her sexual-orientation. Similarly, even though 38year-old Mary Kom lost her Tokyo Olympic 2020 pre-quarter final tie in the flyweight category, fans were appreciative of her reaching that stage in the competition. Even Mirabai Chanu, who won silver for India in Tokyo Olympics, received a hero’s welcome in India.” The DCA coach also shares stories about some of our athletes in the Olympic contingent who went on to not only win medals but also become inspirational stories to the world. “Mirabai had trained hard for two years to win her medal, giving a befitting reply to those making racist remarks about people from the North-East. Boxer Pooja Rani, who will be competing in the 73kg category in Olympics, had to convince her father to let her continue boxing and just not get married. Such inspirational stories have begun changing the attitude of people, who are now sending their daughters to take up sports like boxing and wrestling.”
Modern times are very conducive for women athletes and they are expressing themselves and not just focus on winning. When India’s Dutee Chand disclosed that she was gay, she found a whole section of society hailing her as an athlete
— Khyati Gulani, Former cricketer and coach at Delhi Cricket
Association (DCA)
GENDER EQUALITY
The Olympics is built on the philosophy of Olympism, is an embodiment of gender equality and equal opportunity in sports.
This year, especially, has raised the bar for female participation in global competitions.
Vaidehi Vaidya, MD at Women in Sport India, reminds us that this shift has not been overnight.
“Starting from first black track and field gold medallist Tommie Smith to now being gender-balanced, the Olympics have seen a sustainable change towards equality,” states Vaidehi. “With its six global activities: Sport for All, Peace through Sport, Development through Sport, Women and Sport, Education through Sport and Sport and Environment, it is miles ahead in addressing the social issues of the world through sports.”
Debashree Mukherji, a former national basketball gold medallist also points out that we have indeed come a long way. “In the earlier years, to even muster the courage for an appropriate outfit was a major challenge. This year, the German gymnastic team did it without worrying about the consequences. With media bringing up the needs in realtime, things are changing for the better for female athletes. They can freely voice their needs and challenges,” remarks Debashree.
“The importance of being self-aware of your mental health, standing up for yourself and placing yourself as human first is such an important step. Simone Biles realised this when in competition and decided not to let her nation down because she was selfaware of her mental health.”
— VARADAYINI GORHE, a sport psychologist
PANDEMIC EFFECT
The pandemic has taken a toll on everyone, something that can be seen with an increase in the number of mental health issues being spoken about. The athletes competing in the Olympics have especially faced the pressure, with the Tokyo 2020 games being postponed by a year. IOA expert Pranav Maggu believes this delay surely took a toll on the athletes, something he says was evident with Simone Biles.
“Biles is a four-time Olympic gold medallist, and everyone thought she would sweep all the medals in this year’s gymnastics competition. Her decision to withdraw was a landmark; if she would have continued, who knows what major injury she would have got for trying out difficult routines,” points out Pranav. Even as he is all praise for Simone Biles’ integrity to herself, he is full of admiration for the Indian athletes who qualified in the Indian contingent, especially, Mirabai
In the earlier years, to even muster the courage for an appropriate outfit was a major challenge. This year, the German gymnastic team did it without worrying about the consequences. With media bringing up the needs in real-time, things are changing for the better for female athletes. They can freely voice their needs and challenges.”
DEBASHREE MUKHERJI, a former national basketball gold medallist
Chanu. “Her story is nothing but extraordinary,” he states.”
TURN OF EVENTS
For Varadayini Gorhe, a sport psychologist and founder of MFP psychology consulting, Simone Biles taking a stand for her mental health was a very important turn in Olympic as well as athlete history.
“The tennis player Naomi Osaka did take a stand before the Olympics, but Biles realised this when in competition and decided not to let her nation down because she was self-aware of her mental health,” Nitin Malik, lead singer at Parikrama and sports enthusiast, can’t stop discussing Mirabai’s victory especially against the discriminatory behaviour North-East Indians face in their own country.
“Everyone has been talking about her as the pride of India after she brought the silver. It makes one wonder how many athletes like her still make the cut even without proper facilities and gyms. And the fact that she asked for a pizza after winning shows her humility,” says Nitin.