I can't help but get caught up in men's swimming. I'm a man. I identify with them. And with Michael Phelps, Aaron Peirsol, and Ryan Lochte still in the game, everyone else seems to get pushed aside, especially our female athletes.
I think it's always been lopsided that way. In 1972 it was all about Spitz: in '76, John Naber; in '84, Rowdy Gains; and in '88, Matt Biondi.
1992 was different. A girl by the name of Summer Sanders came on the scene. She had a sunny disposition and all the charm of a network sports anchor. (Summer, of course, went on to be the female co-host of INSIDE THE NBA), but during the 1992 Olympics, I have to confess: Matt Biondi still got more media attention.
I think we, the swimming community, honor our men more than our women. I could be wrong. (After a long audit of my video content, I know I certainly do.) If I'm wrong, please correct me. I know there are notable exceptions, like Janet Evans, who is a darling in aquatic circles. But, overall, historically, don't we see more marketing on the masculine side of swimming?
I think our future is feminine! Our sport has gone pro. There's no debating it. Sure we're still in our infancy in the pro world, but the entire female athletic market is under-represented (no football, baseball, or hockey), and we have a sport that can honor women equally with men.
Tennis is the best example. The world loves female tennis stars. I think that's our model. If you have better examples, please share them--arm me so I can make a better argument.
I made a vow to honor women more this year. (I did a poor job in 2008.) If you have any advice or helpful hints, please pass them along. I think wisdom can came from anywhere, especially odd and unusual places.
Dara Torres could have been a huge global star after Beijing. Perhaps she is...but It's tough to tell while Michael Phelps still creates such an enormous media eclipse.
Natalie Coughlin certainly deserves more love and respect. I don't think anyone can argue against that statement.
One exception came in 1996. Amy Van Dyken won 4 gold medals. At the time, that was most of any female athlete in US Olympic history, and she got fantastic media attention! I was lucky enough to interview Amy and talk to her about what she's doing presently. Check her out in this the GOLD MEDAL MINUTE exclusive.
Hi Mel, just got off the phone with our mutual friend, Rich Roll (we swam together in college and remain close friends). He spoke very highly of you...
I coach an age group program in Pittsburgh, the Mt. Lebanon Aqua Club. Another facet to your commitment to cover women more is simply the fact that there are far more female competitive swimmers than male competitive swimmers. My senior group has 45 swimmers, 30 female and 15 male. Based on my observations at swim meets, I would estimate that the ratio of female swimmers to males at the age group level is about 3:2. That's a substantial difference and an opportunity for anyone trying to communicate with or market to the swimming community.
Thanks for your blog.
Posted by: Dave Schraven | April 20, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Great blog!
Posted by: Jason | March 23, 2009 at 12:09 PM
I would hope that any sponsor's decision in partnering up with a female athlete would ultimately be because of their talent and any marketing potential they see in that person - like you mentioned, the whole Summer Sanders factor (she was a great host on "Figure it Out" by the way.) But I think that now, considering what's happened, the risk factor is something that will definitely influence what goes on in the future.
Posted by: Candace | March 23, 2009 at 09:41 AM
Out there on the edge, saying what we all think.... Candace, I wasn't trying to make that exact point, but you're absolutely right. If Madison Avenue wanted a safe bet, our women would be wonderful stars to partner with....
Posted by: goldmedalmel | March 23, 2009 at 08:44 AM
I'll be the first to say that I love, LOVE the boys of the swimming world but there are some really fierce ladies that simply cannot be overlooked. Even when being drowned (for lack of a better word) in Phelpsian media stories, it was pretty hard to ignore some of these ladies. I mean, Dara Torres is ridiculous - in the best way possible. Natalie Coughlin is also a personal favorite for somewhat shallow and not-so shallow reasons.
Also, in light of a certain "incident" (that needs no further defining) maybe sponsors and media outlets will be turning toward the female athletes who, though it seems sexist, might seem a bit safer in some ways - if you get what I mean.
Posted by: Candace | March 23, 2009 at 05:40 AM