Lindsey Vonn's SI Cover Sparks Outrage

Filed Under: Zportz Spread 'Em

The Olympics haven't even started and there's already controversy.

People are up in arms over the new Sports Illustrated cover featuring skier Lindsey Vonn posing "provocatively". Some believe Lindsay is portraying herself as a sex symbol, rather than a professional athlete.

Women's Talk Sports comments:

Vonn is first a GREAT athlete, but she also represents norm of feminine attractiveness. The combination of athleticism and attractiveness make Vonn the likely poster girl of the US Olympic Team, and the media hasn't disappointed in constructed her as such.

Not to be left out, Sports Illustrated is featuring Vonn on their Feb. 8, 2010 cover. For those of you who follow SI Covers, know that female athletes are RARELY featured on the cover.

Over the last 60 years researchers have shown that about 4% of all SI covers have portrayed women.
When females are featured on the cover of SI, they are more likely than not to be in sexualized poses and not in action-and the most recent Vonn cover is no exception.

Hmm, we think they're blowing this cover out of proportion.

Lindsey is fully clothed from head to toe in competitive skiing attire and in a skiing position. It would be completely different if she was skiing in a bikini or portraying a sexed up snow bunny. Lindsey can't help it if she's attractive AND a great athlete.

Just let the girl have her moment. She deserves it!

[Image courtesy of Sports Illustrated.]

Posted: February 8, 2010 at 10:00 am