Issues Surrounding Coaches Comments of Vonn’s Weight Could Have Been Avoided

Recently, Austrian media reported that coaches discussing downhill skier Lindsey Vonn, the reigning downhill and overall World Cup champion, said she would have an advantage in speed events because she was carrying additional weight. This is incredibly tacky, and I do not believe that this comment would have been made had Vonn not been a woman.

According to The Associated Press, Vonn said the comments didn't weigh on her but served as motivation when she won a trio of World Cup races, dominating three days of speed racing in Haus im Ennstal, Austria, this month.

Last week in a teleconference, Von said that she takes pride in being fit and fast and "if weight were the key to success in ski racing, then everyone would be stuffing their faces with food. ...I just think it's pretty ridiculous and it definitely irritated me." Vonn said.

I thought it was interesting that Vonn put more blame on the journalists than the coaches who actually made the comments. "But, you know, I think in all fairness, I think it was an exaggeration on the journalists' part on the comments of the Austrian coaches, ...the Austrian coaches actually apologized to me," Vonn added. Why was this exaggerated though? Truthfully, because it was an extreme comment that the journalists' knew would start debate and controversy sells.

Even though there have been great leaps in equal rights, this shows that there is still a stigma surrounding women athletes compared to male athletes. But, in this rise of feminine power - I'm not surprised this statement was taken and blasted through the media.

Twin Cities station, WCCO interviewed U of M Sports Scientist, Nicole LaVoi on this topic. LaVoi said when it comes to female athletes, many people talk about how they look rather than what they actually do. "The critique wasn't, 'Oh, she looks muscular and fit and ready to do her best.' It was, 'Oh, she looks a little heavier.'" LaVoi said it becomes an issue when you consider how many times you hear the same types of comments directed at male athletes. You don't often hear people saying of Bode Miller, "He's looking a little heavy this year, maybe that will help him go faster," said LaVoi.

I think this issue could have been avoided if the Austrian coaches had been media trained better. Any publicist or rep would know what words or comments should be avoided. However, in the end I think the coaches did a good job apologizing to Vonn for their comments.

Despite skiing with a bruised left lower arm Vonn hurt in a crash during last month's giant slalom race in Lienz, Austria, Vonn won two downhills and a Super-G at the beginning of December. That raised her total to 28 victories, putting her at No. 2 on the all-time list of American skiers, three titles behind Bode Miller. I'm glad to see that this is not affecting her ability or attitude.