It's Like Comparing Jordan to Swoops

Have you ever seen a WNBA game? To be honest neither have I, at least not a whole one. Why is it that women's sports have a lower fan base than men's? Is it because we still are stuck in that "Suzy Homemaker" image and not supposed to be rough and competitive? For example, more people can identify Michael Jordan than Sheryl Swoops. In my opinion, here are just a few of the problems I find in not only the WNBA, but women's sports in general.

It's just sad to see the figures of fan attendance from the NBA to the WNBA; these women are strong individuals on and off the court, they work just as hard as the men do in the NBA and no one gives them any credit!
Although there are the few and far between fans that DO love the sport of women's basketball and talk about it daily. They rant back and forth about draft picks, who's going to be good this season and who should just throw in the towel, etc...
When women participate in professional sports or sports in general some are ridiculed by name calling such as lesbian, manly, etc..the list could go on forever really; but when a woman athlete actually does come out, for example Sheryl Swoops, there is a media frenzy and gives all those out there more justification that women who play professional sports are manly or lesbian.
Athletes from other sports just as well have "come out", although (rarely) when men come out it is a HUGE ordeal and seen as the most unexpected event to ever occur, but do you notice when a woman does in a professional sport most people see it as "it was only a matter of time" attitude?
Even though I do rant about inequality in women's sports, the only one's that can really change everyone's views about it is us, sadly. We have to not only train and compete, but hold up our feminine image that society has placed on us, will it ever end?

Are Women Strong Enough?

The age old question.....Can women play football? Well, traditionally it's seen as a masculine sport, but hey who made the rule that it HAD to boys?! Now, in this day in age women are seen equal to men in every aspect of life: work, family, politically, religiously, etc.... but are they in sports? Why is it in movies when girls want to try out for football it is seen as a joke to the opposite sex and they somehow triumph at the end and ultimately end up being the winning point for the team? I think it is because it's seen as such an unreachable goal for females to play football; why can't little girls growing up want to tackle opponents instead of doing pirouettes?
Although, females have triumphed progressively when Katie Hnida was the first female kicker in Division 1 football to score. This was an amazing accomplishment for females although it turned into tragedy with allegations of rape and sexual harassment.
With the future looking bright for women playing college football, many are sceptic saying "it's just not right," saying women do not belong on the field. Title IX in the NCAA is law that may give females the chance to do anything or any sport they want. Title IX gives females and males equal opportunity in collegiate sports with the same amount of money given and sports available; "Women’s athletic participation levels substantially increased during the late 1990s, but this growth slowed considerably in the early 2000s." (Who's Playing Sports?)
My opinion is this-women are becoming discouraged because they hear so many no's and not enough yes's; why is this? Females need to prevail in what they want and be seen as equals in every sport. If they can do it and want to, it's their responsibility if they get hurt- no one elses. We are smart enough to know what our bodies can handle and what we want them to be put through, let us be the judges of our own bodies and decisions and play the sport we desire.

A Fallen Hero

After apologizing to the media, the world, all the little girls that looked up to her, Marion Jones stated that her former coach Trevor Graham was the one that gave her her first "dose" of steriods. Even though this may be true, I simply believe that everyone is responsible for what goes in their mouth or body, don't you think?
Yes, there are pressures of being a professional athlete to be the best, fastest, and most popular- but is taking a performance enhancing drug the cost? In my opinion, an athlete who may be a "little" slower, who works hard in the weightroom, eats right, and doesn't party every weekend but most importantly DOESN'T take steriods- that's the real hero.
Where are the news stories about the athletes who have gotten to the top the right way? What about Nolan Ryan, Michael Jordan, or Troy Aikman? Alot of people are feeling sorry for Marion Jones, and saying that they should commend her for saying sorry and stepping up to the plate; I believe this is true to some respect- BUT has this ruined the face of track and field forever? Honestly it's going to be hard to look up to an athlete in the future without speculating that they are using some type of drug to be the best.
Marion Jones also announced that she is retiring from the sport as well; I think this is a smart decision for her as well as for the face of the sport. Making apologies YES does humble you a bit and relieve your conscience but I think the best thing for Marion Jones to do is stay out of the spotlight and concentrate on raising her children and possibly speak to local high schools about the dangers and consequences of taking steriods.

Say No to Drugs-ATHLETES!!!

Is it just me or does it seem every athlete that we've ever looked up to since we were little kids used a performance enhancing drug one time or another? The recent drama about America's sweetheart Marion Jones is just a little glimpse into the ugly world of sports.
It's just a little discouraging watching pro sports on T.V. and not knowing whether or not that athlete has natural ability or not. This day in age there are so many types of steriods or performance enhancing drugs that still have not been able to be detected which is scary to think about. This is not only happening in America but all over the country; such as Australia whose cricket, soccer and rugby players are being banned from their sports for "using."
What happened to the good ol' days where you played your sport with the God given talent you were given? The world moves at such a fast pace now to where everyone wants to the best, fastest, smartest, richest etc... I think the way society teaches us growing up is to do whatever it takes to be the BEST without thinking about the consequences along the way. The way I look at it is play to your optimal best and whatever that is hope it be your best; why chance it and take a drug that you MAY get caught with and ruin your career forever?
What world are we looking at in five to ten years when are our children of today see their hero's using steriods? Already high school students are "dipping" into the fad of steriod use. There is heightened concern over not only their age of using, but health issues as well. Reportedly high school student steriod use has almost doubled in five years, 6.1 percent in 2003 up from 3.1 percent in 1998. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Sadly this is a growing trend that hopefully will be a dying one in the near future; giving harsher punishments is the trick; the system is too lenient and forgiving. Examples such as Marion Jones will hopefully scare some younger generations to do the right thing and compete the right way: drug free.