I am outraged by the so-called sport of rhythmic gymnastics and its ridiculous rules. I call for its immediate removal from Olympic competition and for the International Olympic Committee to take quick and swift action.
The rules of the sport are biased and unfair.
While I have truly enjoyed NBC's coverage of obscure Olympic sports such as ping- pong and kayaking on its sister station Bravo, rhythmic gymnastics (airing Aug. 26-29) has conjured up horrific images of my recent past.
Over the last two years I have transformed myself into a rhythmic gymnastics machine, honing my rhythm ball prowess in preparation for the Summer Games in Athens. My parents even turned our backyard into a world-class rhythmic gymnastics facility.
I finally thought I was ready for the Olympics this year when disaster struck.
My dreams of gold were shattered when, before this year's Olympic trials, I read the rulebook for rhythmic gymnastics. I discovered that the Winnie the Pooh portrait stamped on the side of my ball was in violation of gymnastics rhythmic code.
Olympic rules state that no figurative images are permitted on the balls, and without Winnie I didn't think I could go on with the sport. I just wasn't as close to any of my other rhythmic balls.
But after 30 seconds of deep contemplation, I figured I could just buy a different ball from the Wal-Mart where I purchased the Winnie ball three years before. Refocused and once again thinking of Olympic glory, I came across another rule of rhythm gymnastics--no men allowed! The sport is strictly for women.
Where was Martha Burke when I needed her?
As the official website of the Olympic Games explains, "Rhythmic gymnastics is performed exclusively by women and is a combination of gymnastics and dance."
I was devastated. Not only were my dreams of competing in the rhythmic ball competition over, but there would be no hoop, club, ribbon, or rope competition either. Men are barred from competing in any form of rhythmic gymnastics.
Where is the public outcry? I want affirmative action.
Combining style and grace, strength and beauty, ropes and balls, nothing could be better than rhythmic gymnastics. The balls are similar to those sold in the toy sections of department stores and the ribbons, clubs, and rope can all be purchased at an affordable price, making the sport accessible to all classes.
Yet for some reason, the sport makes no attempt to include the male gender in participation of the events. Until the rules change and social progress in the world of gymnastics is made, I'll have to keep practicing with the ping-pong paddle I bought when I returned the Winnie rhythmic ball to Wal-Mart.
Tyler Thompson is a journalism major. Reach him at tyler.thompson@asu.edu.
