Jezebel: Athletes

NASCAR Driver Apologizes To All the Bitches Who Don't Think Breastfeeding is 'Nasty'

Erin Gloria Ryan — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST

NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne has apologized for a Tweet wherein he called the sight of a woman breastfeeding her child "nasty," and a follow up Tweet wherein he called a woman who criticized his calling the woman nasty a "bitch." Someone who makes obscene amounts of money as a professional athlete/amusement has a sub-enlightened attitude about something? Hold me; we'll get through this together. More »

Saudi Arabia Solves Gender Inequality By Allowing One Woman To Compete In Olympics

Erin Gloria Ryan — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:30:00 EST

For the first time in the history of the games, Saudi Arabia is allowing women to compete on their country's Olympic team during the 2012 summer games in London. We are truly making great strides. Wait, Saudi Arabia only did it because the International Olympic Committee threatened to bar them from the London Olympics unless they allowed female competitors? And they're only letting one woman compete, and that's only if she lives outside of the country while she trains? Oh. More »

Pervy Gymnastics Coach Banned From Sport For Life

Erin Gloria Ryan — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 18:50:00 EST

An investigation into the conduct of US Gymnastics coach Don Peters has concluded that his sexual misconduct with teenage gymnasts in the 1980's warrants a lifetime ban from the sport. He's also being removed from the US Gymnastics Hall of Fame. More »

The Entertaining Reasons Why Married Athletes Put A Ring On It

Anna North — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EDT

Prince William has taken flack for eschewing a wedding ring, but there's a group of dudes who could probably get out of wearing theirs by reason of occupational hazard: pro athletes. Nonetheless, some choose to put a ring on it. And their reasons are pretty amusing. More »

Why Women Runners Are Punk Rock

Erin Gloria Ryan — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:25:00 EDT

In 1961, Julia Chase-Brand was a 19-year-old sophomore at Smith College when she did the unthinkable: register to run a 4.75 mile road race alongside men. She was met with derision, condescension, and paternal concern from the public. Running for longer than half a mile, after all, would be detrimental to her femininity, threaten her future fertility, and upend gender roles that were there for a reason. Running while female, until surprisingly recently, was among the most righteous and rebellious things a gal could do. More »

Men Try To Prove Pole Dancing Isn't Just For Women ... Or Strippers

Margaret Hartmann — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 22:56:00 EDT

The latest evidence that pole dancing is a legitimate sport, not just an activity that keeps strippers occupied while they're being oogled: Some dudes are taking to the pole too. More »

What Ever Happened To Male Athletes' Party Shorts?

Emily Bracken — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 11:00:00 EDT

Flipping through the channels the other night, I landed on ESPN Classic. To my delight, playing out an epic 5-setter were ginger-headed Boris Becker and tow-headed Stefan Edberg on the grass courts of Wimbledon. I was instantly transported to 1988, a time when hair was big, cars were loud and tennis pros played out actual points rather than the slugfests to which we've now become accustomed. Watching the legends, I also realized my disappointment with today's tennis circuit isn't due to the yawn-inducing corporate professionalism of the players, nor to the gargantuan Polo pony commercially trotting across the chest of every U.S. Open linesmen. The bone I have to pick is actually more like a wedgie — and the distinct lack thereof in men's tennis and, come to think of it, professional men's athletics. More »

Woman Swimming To Key West From Cuba Forced To Stop Halfway

Dodai Stewart — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 10:10:00 EDT

Diana Nyad made it about halfway through her journey from Havana to Key West — 29 hours in the water — before she had to stop. According to CNN, she was vomiting when she was brought up into a boat. More »

61-Year-Old Woman Will Sing Bob Dylan Tunes While Swimming To Key West From Cuba

Dodai Stewart — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 11:40:00 EDT

Diana Nyad is attempting to swim from Havana, Cuba to Key West Florida, a 103-mile haul. She started her journey yesterday, but before she hit the ocean, she spoke with Today's Natalie Morales. Turning 60 was the catalyst that sparked Nyad into action; she says, "I started thinking, I want to feel alive and alert and awake and challenged. I want to do something that takes everything in me." This is Nyad's second attempt at swimming to Florida from Cuba — she first tried in 1978, when she was 28, but was pulled from the water after she drifted too far off-course. So far, this time, Nyad is off to a "perfect start." She sings Bob Dylan and Janis Joplin tunes with every stroke. Will age, experience and determination make this attempt successful? We'll have to wait and see. But Nyad is already a success story, proving that whatever your dream, it's never too late. More »

13-Year-Old Bodybuilder Is On A Quest For "Perfection"

Dodai Stewart — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 13:40:00 EDT

It's great that 13-year-old Richard Bruffy has taken an interest in exercise. And we're not going to wring any hands about a kid pursuing something athletic that is usually associated with adults. That said: some of the words he chooses — "ridiculous goals," "perfection," and "perfect body" — are troubling. Isn't the "perfect" body one that functions properly? Abdominal definition and bulging biceps are not necessarily indicators of tip-top health. Some of Bruffy's ideas are consistent with the Adonis complex, also known as muscle dysmorphia. At least Bruffy works out with supervision from his dad, who is hopefully teaching the kid that no one is perfect, and imperfections are not failures or flaws. More »

U.S. Women's Soccer Team Still Feeling Pretty Good

Dodai Stewart — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 10:15:00 EDT

The athletes were on Today with Ann Curry this morning. Said goalkeeper Hope Solo, "Although we didn't bring the cup home, we're a team full of a winning attitude. We have winning spirit." More »

Japan Defeats US in Nail Biting Shootout

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 17:29:48 EDT

Have you been paying attention to the Women's World Cup? Hope you have a cardiologist on speed dial, because this entire tournament has been a nerve (and heart) destroyer. Here are some highlights from today's seesaw match between the US and Japan. More »

A Big, Sweaty Look At Wimbledon So Far

Dodai Stewart — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 12:52:00 EDT

Wimbledon 2011 is a prestigious championship tournament, where tennis players from around the world compete in grueling matches. We like to check out the hot bodies and orgasm-ish strained faces. More »

Elite Female Runners Juggle Parenthood, Running, Making You Feel Lazy

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 17:30:00 EDT

Competitive running's tough on a woman's body, and so is having babies. Put them together and you get a smorgasbord of interrelated challenges that could sideline even the most dedicated athletes and exhaust the most devoted parents. More »

Kick-Ass Lady Longboarders Carve Their Way Down A Mountain

Whitney Jefferson — Tue, 31 May 2011 15:40:00 EDT

Upon first watching this video of Madrid's Longboard Girls Crew, we were impressed by the collective skateboarding skills of this girls-only group. But when we looked into the LGC's purpose, we grew to love them even more: More »

Can A Genetic Test Spot Future Sports Stars?

Anna North — Mon, 23 May 2011 12:10:00 EDT

Don't you wish there was a way to tell if your baby would grow up into a sports star, so that you could start pinning all your deferred dreams of athletic glory on her while she was still in her crib? Well, now there is — sort of. More »

It Looks Just As Crazy If You Tip Your Monitor Sideways

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sun, 15 May 2011 14:18:00 EDT

Shanghai, China, May 15: Croatia's Blanka Vlasic competes in the Women's High Jump event of the Diamond League Athletics meeting (AP Photo/Andy Wong) More »

Female Boxers Get No Love, Sighs Female Boxer

Dodai Stewart — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:15:00 EDT

The profile of boxer Keisher McLeod-Wells in the New York Times today includes details about her persona as "the Boxing Diva" — she likes Gucci anything, pink Juicy Couture knee-socks, Prada platform heels, Tory Burch tops and Bulgari eyeglasses. But some of the facts from the piece are plain-old depressing: More »

Ab Fab

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 16:35:00 EST

Parma, Italy, Feb 6: Parma's Carvalho Amauri celebrates after scoring a goal during their Serie A soccer match against Fiorentina. More »

Track And Field Athletes Know How To Work The Pole

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 14:30:28 EST

Boston, Feb 5: Pole vaulter Jenn Suhr clears the bar during the Boston Indoors Athletics meet. Suhr won the event. (Image via AP)

Glee On Ice

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 17:45:00 EST

Astana, Kazakhstan, Feb 5: Japan's Haruka Imai and Kanako Murakami, Korea's Min-Jeong Kwak smile as they pose with their silver, gold and bronze medals after the 7th Asian Winter Games figure skating competition. (Image via AP)

"Life, Sweetness, Hope" Lost In Notre Dame Sex Assault Case

Roger Canaff — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 17:17:00 EST

It is the motto of the University of Notre Dame Du Lac. And yet in the shadow of her statue there, a dutiful commitment to the safety and physical security of the women of her community seems dreadfully lacking. More »

Caster Semenya Not Really Bothered By That "Gender Dispute" Thing

Margaret Hartmann — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 15:08:00 EST

Or at least that's what she says in her first interview since being cleared to run as a female. Though she was reportedly "shattered" by the controversy, she insists, "I'm not ashamed of being myself. I know who I am." More »

Sexual Assault And The Super Bowl

Erin Gloria Ryan — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST

The number of NFL teams still in the running toward becoming America's Next Top Big Tackley Dudes has been narrowed down to two, and both teams contain players with serious sexual assault allegations. What's a fan to do? More »

Sideline General

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 14:15:00 EST

Berkeley, CA, Jan 22: UCLA head coach Nikki Caldwell yells from the bench during the first half of their NCAA women's college basketball game against California.

Philadelphia-Area Soccer Fans Displeased With New Team Jerseys

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 11:55:00 EST

Their new jerseys advertise the fact that Philadelphia's Major League Soccer team is now sponsored by Mexican baking giant Bimbo. I predict that Philadelphia Union jerseys will be popular hategifts this Valentine's Day. Send it to someone dumb! More »

Town Doesn't Give a Shit About Roethlisberger Rape Controversy Anymore

Lauri Apple — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 16:50:10 EST

Remember how Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was accused of rape by a woman in Georgia that one time, and suspended by the NFL for a few games? Yeah, well, let's just put that all behind us now, okay? More »

Pole Dancer Magazine Features Kids

Dodai Stewart — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 16:40:00 EST

In November, we gave you a peek at the premiere issue of Pole Spin, the magazine just for pole dancers and pole fitness enthusiasts. Today: Issue two! More »

Sunday Afternoon Thighlights: Viva La Bromance

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 18:20:00 EST

Porto, Portugal, Jan 16: FC Porto's Givanildo 'Hulk' Souza from Brazil, celebrates with Radamel Falcao, on top, from Colombia after scoring his team's second goal against Naval in a Portuguese League soccer match at the Dragao Stadium. (Image via AP)

Ready, Aim, Fire

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 14:35:00 EST

Ruhpolding, Germany, January 16: Norway's Tora Berger, left, shoots next to Germany's Andrea Henkel during the women's 10 kilometers pursuit race at the Biathlon World Cup competition.

Maria Sharapova Dons Sartorial Fault

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 11:15:00 EST

Melbourne, Jan. 16: Maria Sharapova's hottest look is GRAY. It has everything: sheer paneling, silk flowers, confusingly tented striped shorts, oversized belt buckles... Image via Getty.

Phantom Ball

Lauri Apple — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 17:35:21 EST

[Hobart, Australia, January 15: Jarmila Groth hits a return against Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the U.S. in the final at the Hobart International women's tennis tournament. Groth won the match, but where did that ball end up? Image via AP.]

She'll Fight For Her Country

Lauri Apple — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 14:15:57 EST

[Edinburgh, Scotland, January 14: Amateur boxer Louise Mitchell will be the first woman to box for Scotland in a match against Wales at Meadowbank Stadium—the third of four Bring Back Boxing Home Internationals. Image via Getty.]

Eye And Foot On The Ball

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 14:05:00 EST

Bari, Italy, January 9: Bari's Stefano Okaka, left, and Bologna's Matteo Rubin fight for the ball during a Serie A soccer match between Bari and Bologna. (AP) More »

Mother of Ronaldo's Child Wants To See Her Son

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 16:40:00 EST

Portuguese soccer player/world famous injury-faker/occasional Kardashian dater Cristiano Ronaldo has a son with an anonymous British woman who now wants to return the more-than $15 million the athlete paid her in exchange for promising to never contact the boy. Yikes. More »

Sunday Thighlights: Leg Hugs For Everyone

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 16:25:00 EST

Glasgow, January 2: Celtic's Biram Kayal , top, leaps onto Georgios Samaras along with Thomas Rogne , right, in celebration at victory against Rangers during their Scottish Premier League soccer match at Ibrox Stadium.

British Ironwoman Makes All Other Humans Look Lazy

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST

Chrissie Wellington didn't even realize that she was athletic until her early 20's. Now, at 33, she's a globally recognized endurance athlete. Stories like this should make you wonder if you are also secretly Superman. More »

Boxing Day Thighlights: God Bless Us, Every One

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 16:00:00 EST

London, December 26: Saracens' Alex Goode, facing at left, is tackled by Wasps' James Cannon, right, and Andy Powell, left, during their English Premiership rugby union match at Wembley stadium. Ah, rugby. What a wonderful, wonderful sport. Image via AP

UConn Reignites Timeworn Basketball Battle Of The Sexes

Erin Gloria Ryan — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 13:05:00 EST

Last night, the University of Connecticut Women's basketball team won its 89th game in a row, breaking a record set by a men's team. This obviously means that now the Battle of the Sexes Just Got Serious. More »

UConn Women's Basketball Team Has Forgotten How To Lose

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 17:45:00 EST

Congratulations are in order for the University of Connecticut women's basketball team, who just minutes ago won their 88th straight game, tying the NCAA record for consecutive wins. Does the game of being awesome have a mercy rule? More »