Kerri Walsh Jennings Responds to Sideboob Shaming
Kerri Walsh Jennings has three gold medals and is well on her way to winning a fourth at the 2016 Rio Olympics. With her new partner, April Ross, the pair have dominated beach volleyball in Brazil so far, bumping, setting and spiking their way to multiple victories. Yet despite their dominance on the sand, some viewers still seem distracted by the athletes’ uniforms.
“Why has NBC decided that beach volleyball is fascinating? I’ve seen enough of Kerri Walsh’s side boob. Scantily clad = big ratings? Please,” James Carroll tweeted. While the user has since removed his comment, this wasn’t before Walsh Jennings spotted it herself and responded.
You’re obviously not watching. There’s none of that going on. Not even close https://t.co/zFGOs6G00m
— Kerri Walsh Jennings (@kerrileewalsh) August 14, 2016
Defenders on social media were quick to point out that not only has Walsh Jennings been playing in long sleeves during her nighttime matches when the temperatures have been low, but that there is also inherent sexism in critiquing her body and uniform.
@kerrileewalsh you tell em!! Maybe he hasn’t seen the last few days when you’ve been playing in long sleeves?? ????????????
— ginalle ♡ (@iamginalle) August 14, 2016
@kerrileewalsh @643equals2 who cares what you are wearing. You ladies are kicking ass and it is fascinating !!!!!!!!
— Sharon Brennan (@sbrennan29) August 14, 2016
@kerrileewalsh @643equals2 james clearly you’re not watching what I am. Because I am seeing top notch athletes playing vball.
— Jessica b (@Country_girljj) August 14, 2016
@kerrileewalsh How can somebody be showing side boob if they are wearing long sleeve jerseys? @643equals2 = ignorant
— tyler hedenschoug (@thedenschoug) August 14, 2016
@kerrileewalsh @643equals2 So ridiculously sexist & disrespectful to our Olympians. There are many who appreciate your talents and skills!
— Sara Moscato Howe (@SaraMHowe) August 14, 2016
@kerrileewalsh @643equals2 I missed any side boob, I have just been seeing dominance.
— Jacob Alan (@jamfh7) August 14, 2016
The 38-year-old has faced judgments like this for years. As she recently told Yahoo Sports, she believes that the commentary surrounding the two-piece outfit is just the media having fun. “I think it’s people who don’t really understand our sport who are like, ‘Why are they wearing that it’s degrading?’ And to me, it’s so the opposite of degrading, it’s empowering,” she said. “My bikini with Asics is very sports-performance minded. I do not want to be sexy, I want to kick butt and so that’s what I’m thinking and that’s what my partners are thinking when we create these bikinis.”
Wearing a bikini is also a personal choice. Recently the International Olympic Committee changed the rules to include shorts and tank tops as part of the required attire. “I love that,” the mom of three said. “I don’t want anyone to not play because they don’t want to wear the uniform.” She also said: “I have no problem with [the bikini]. Again for me, it’s all about performing at my best and a bikini allows me to do that when I’m in Rio in 100-degree weather with 100 percent humidity. I do not want to be wearing shorts and a tank top.”
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