Amanda Beard Posing in Playboy: Bad for Women's Sports?

Amanda Beard, a swimmer who has won seven Olympic medals, is planning to pose in Playboy, and Swimming World Magazine says that fact is "dominating discussion among the swimming community."

Is a swimmer posing in Playboy really such a big deal that it should dominate the discussion among the swimming community? I don't think it is, but With Leather cites someone who thinks it's a very big deal:

What upsets some people like Dr. Mary Jo Kane, director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport at the University of Minnesota, as she told the New York Daily News, is that "It used to be that female athletes were portrayed as wholesome, All-American girls. Now you get female athletes in GQ, Playboy and the Swimsuit issue. The result of it is coverage that is very damaging-that trivializes and marginalizes women athletes because it does not give them the respect they deserve as competent athletes."

I get what Dr. Kane is saying, but I don't agree with it. There's no reason you can't be a wholesome, All-American girl and still be attractive to men, and the fact that women with athletic bodies are considered attractive is a step forward, not a step backward.

A man saying Serena Williams is fat could be described as "coverage that is very damaging." But a man saying an Olympic swimmer is attractive is a good thing.

UPDATE 1: Watch Amanda Beard talk about Playboy with David Letterman.
UPDATE 2: High School Pole Vaulter an Internet Sensation
Sorry, No Photos

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 18)

5-08-2007 @ 8:25PM

Dave said...

Dude, you couldn't find a slightly more flattering image than THAT?

5-08-2007 @ 10:28PM

Jon said...

Looks like halloween has come early this year

5-08-2007 @ 10:41PM

wildman said...

This was hilarious. Hats off to Vernon Wells for his great comeback to these idiots.

5-08-2007 @ 10:43PM

oops...wrong blog...hahaha

Anyway...Amanda Beard has a great body and if she doesn't mind revealing it, I don't mind looking at even more of it!!!

5-09-2007 @ 3:19AM

cjrbans said...

Shame!These gals get upset if Women don't have the rights to do things but then a female makes he mind up to show off, decaeds of hard work & again,The same females, say that it's wrong. The female body,God's best design, is perfect to be shown, not sick, not about being used! It's beauty, you sick B....'s,she has the rigt to share that beauty with any body! Dr Bugs

5-09-2007 @ 4:06AM

Moore said...

"Amanda Beard, a swimmer who has won seven Olympic medals". She made the sacrfices to be one of the best swimmers. This should be her choice at which way she wants to persue her career. Go Amanda!

5-09-2007 @ 6:14AM

Max said...

I agree that doffing her clothes for Playboy totally trivializes her Olympic accomplishments. Now she's in the same category as Anna Nicole. She can't be attractive to men without showing her boobs to half the free world (and a few - or maybe more than a few - hypocritical American Muslims) ???

5-09-2007 @ 5:56PM

Hariette said...

Why can't her worth as an athlete just stand on her merits rather than the need to strip? We don't see male athletes who are stipping to prove their attractiveness. Hell, we don't even have the need for male athletes to prove they are atractive! (Shall I include names of guys that could stop a clock?) Stop the double standard of women having to attract male attention based upon their looks to be considered worthy in their field.

5-09-2007 @ 6:34AM

D said...

Who in their right mind wants to see THAT in anything other than in flanner overalls. The female body is beautiful , if the HESHE had ONE. That is one unattractive man......uh woman.......something.

5-09-2007 @ 6:37AM

piratesteve said...

correct me if i'm wrong... but didn't mark spitz win 7 gold... and then appear in playgirl?..... steve

5-09-2007 @ 6:48AM

Emily said...

"It used to be that female athletes were portrayed as wholesome, All-American girls." Male athletes can be both outstanding athletes and considered sexy. (Heck, the two often go hand in hand!) Why can't it be the same for women's sports? I think this kind of exposure for women athletes is great because it shows they can be celebrated for both beauty and athletic prowess.

Jim said...

Have any of you thought that maube she isnt trying to prove anything. that her athletic ability and her desire to pose just may be unrelated. If you dont like her posing then dont buy the issue. I dont get why because someone is offended by Playboy, they seem to think they have the right to decide what others should and should see or do. I dont like your good housekeeping mags, but i certainly wont infringe on your rigts to read it. Good for you Amanda pose away

5-09-2007 @ 6:53AM

Stargazr said...

Has anyone else noticed, the negative opinions are
mostly women? One of those things that make you go, Hmmm...? Amy B's choice is her own business,
Set women back in sports? Undo years of blah, blah? This young lady has earned the right to do
anything she wants to, Yes? It is Amanda's choice, Amanda's life. She should be able to live
it, as SHE chooses. Go.. Amy B.

5-09-2007 @ 7:02AM

frank said...

B4 I scrolled down to check-out her beauty , I wondered about too much muscle tone to b in a Playboy Centerfold . I didnt have to go that far . She has the mug of a Dobermanpincher ....Won't b buying 1 Bunny Book !

gary williams said...

I think it is commendable this woman has the courage to pose. It doesn't take anything away from her being a lady. I think that most who oppose her posing are women who haven't kept in shape and are jealous that this woman looks this good and was asked to pose. Jealousy is a viscious thing to deal with.

5-09-2007 @ 7:04AM

Daniel Mullane said...

All you Puritans need to get a life. Isn't there some religious event you could be attending? Live and let live !

5-09-2007 @ 7:14AM

FAS1 said...

I grew up on PLAYBOY--I'm 63--and Ms. Beard will most certainly be a welcome addition!! There ain't a
thing wrong with being a "Hefner Honey!!"

#10 emily, Take a gander at her mug . Now picture Pam Anderson !Does this answere your question ? If u can rip it off , go 4 it ! I think she failed miserably .

5-09-2007 @ 7:17AM

Beatle60 said...

Has anyone noticed the women who complain about other women bearing all are the least attractive women on the planet?

I did a Google search for Dr. Mary Jo Kane and her picture is on her bio...While I'm happy this lady has become educated and holds this degree...clearly...she is one of the gals' who did not get a lot of dates, and I can't help to wonder if the women who complain aren't shielding a bit of jealosy towards women who can be successful in their vocation, and attractive at the same time.

5-09-2007 @ 7:22AM

John said...

Not only bad for women's sports, but bad for women, and bad for our culture. See how far "liberation" has taken women: They can now get paid money to take their clothes off! What a breakthrough concept!