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“I don’t want to be a runway model, I want to be a role model” —Carli Lloyd

Who initially comes to your mind when you are asked to think of a female athlete? The majority of responses are inspired by success stories. Serena Williams for her strength and dominance on the court, Katie Ledecky for her untouchable speed in the pool, Simone Biles for her fun-sized precision on the beam, Alex Morgan for her pretty face and striking attack on the field.

Yes, these women all come to my mind as I attempt to dictate whom among them is the best. However, it is no easy task to identify which of these women has the most dominant athletic prowess when all of these women have different function within their sport, and more importantly, vastly different body types. It is impossible to compare the athletic ability of multiple women who engage in different activities, so why is the general public incapable of grasping the fact that it is impossible for these women to maintain similar body images and remain competitive in their sport?

What this all boils down to is society's expectations of what a woman is “supposed” to look like. A runway model--tall, toned, and thin. That is what society has encouraged us to strive to look like. You know what I'm talking about. With the social media revolution consuming younger generations, women begin to wonder why they don’t look like the women who infest Instagram’s explore page. In addition to this pressure put on women from society’s unattainable expectations, the women in sport have additional pressure to conform to the norms that exist in their respective sport. Whether a woman is a ballerina, a basketball star, or even coxswain; she is expected to look a certain way.

We live in a society that demands identification and compliance to a gender identification. Although the progressiveness of the transgender community is making leaps and bounds for social inclusion, gender norms continue to dominate and drive the perception of ideal body image.

Professional athletes perform on a world stage, which means that each time a woman laced up her cleats or puts on her swim cap for a highly publicized athletic event, she is subjected to public scrutiny. What places female athletes at a disadvantage is that their image inherently challenges the societal norms of femininity and gender roles.

Sport history emphasizes the sexual differences between men and women. More so than on other institutions, sport promotes, and continues to maintain, sexual stereotypes. American culture has come to cultivate an understanding that athletics is synonymous with masculinity. The traditional perspective of female participation in athletics was this: Women who played sports at a serious level were seen as unfeminine.

Historically, feminist scholars have examined the compatibility of female participation in sport with society’s stereotyped image of how females should behave. “Sports represent the antithesis of what women are supposed to be so, that athleticism become a detriment to the female image.” This observation by sport psychologist and activist for female involvement in sport further, Dorothy V. Harris, emphasizes the negative implications on female participation in sport and further enhances the reluctance in our society to abolish gender roles.

The failure to recognize the newer images of femininity in sports results in the continuation of gender divisions. These gender divisions continue to marginalize the progress made by the women’s movement and inhibit the changing nature of gender relations. The inability for our society to accept women as both strong and feminine has led society to believe that women who participate in sport adapt the masculine qualities that a male would possess.

The stigmatization of masculinity amongst female athletes leads to another issue that women in athletics have to face: scrutiny of sexuality. So, for example, women who play water polo, softball, basketball, etc. with a stature that is physically larger than the average male or with a relaxed, tomboy fashion sense, some will automatically assume these women are lesbians. This stereotype exists in other sports as well, however, for the few I mentioned a larger physical stature is an important component that usually translates to athletic success. Let's be honest, it doesn't hurt to be over 6-feet tall to dunk in basketball, or have broad shoulders to seal off your defender in water polo.

One thing that I will make perfectly clear is that there is nothing wrong with being a gay female athlete--there is nothing wrong with anyone being gay for that matter. The LGBTQ community has made massive strides toward equality and acceptance in the sport industry, with more professional athletes coming out to the public each year, and inspiring others who play sports to feel comfortable in their own skin on the playing field.

With that being said, the sexual orientation of a woman being stigmatized based on athletic prowess is heinous and, quite frankly, damaging to emotional health. Asserting the qualities of power and aggressiveness defies the common gender roles and project all qualities of a man onto a woman: even sexual preference. So, in essence, each time a woman steps onto the field of play she not only challenges the masculinity of the men who play, but also how society interprets what it means to be a woman.

The pressure from this cultural influence takes a toll on the mindset of these women and forces them to question their position as an athlete and as a woman. At least I know it has caused this questioning for me. The pressure to conform comes from all angles. Pressure to conform with society’s cookie cutter model image to be dainty and delicate. Pressure to conform to the norms of a specific sport. Pressure to find a balance of what is deemed acceptable, socially and athletically. Whether it be the pressure to lose weight or the pressure to gain weight, cultural influence of an ideal body type cultivated by the media makes it extremely challenging for women in sports to compete under the pressure.

In addition to holding patriarchy responsible for the oppression of women in all aspects of life for thousands of years, I am also going to have to blame Sports Illustrated for this specific attack on women. In 1964, the notable magazine released its first “swimsuit issue.” Because that is exactly what women needed in the 60s; a woman posing half naked on the cover of sports news magazine most prominently consumed my men. Great. This will definitely help the women fighting to dismantle workplace inequality. Well played men, well played.

Anyway, Sports Illustrated linked the idea of women and sport to sexual fantasy. So, in essence, the expectation of female involvement in anything pertaining to sport is also supposed to be accompanied by a G-string and coconut bra. It is basic association principle really. Sports Illustrated connects its brand with beautiful women. Therefore, what does a consumer of Sports Illustrated think of when they think of women in relation to sports? Well, the cover of the latest swimsuit edition of course.

But let me tell you, women are fighting like hell to change this. Fighting for the world to recognize the distinction between the sex kitten stereotype that currently graces the covers, and the powerful, dedicated female athletes that are actually playing the game.

For what stereotypes have remained constant in regards to gender roles, female athletes continue to challenge and confront these norms. Today, women are not hesitant to speak their minds to reinforce the importance of a positive body image for young women.

In 2009, ESPN revolutionized how the public perceives the image of professional athletes. In reaction to low sales from the recession in the late 2000’s, ESPN The Magazine created the scandalous ESPN: Body Issue. This issue displays a collection of photographs and testimonies from professional athletes. However, instead of the typical action shot and post competition article, The Body Issue captures professional athletes in the nude, and allows the athletes to speak about body acceptance.

Female participation in public platforms such as the ESPN Body Issue provides context on how female athletes continue to defy the ideal body image. The issue features athletes of all sizes, where both men and women bare all to display how their bodies appear while playing their sport. Covering a variety of sports, the athletes reveal their most haunting insecurities and their greatest moments of inspiration in their careers.

For example, featured in the 2017 Body Issue, Christen Press, a member of the U.S. women’s national soccer team, discusses how her body literally “Looks like soccer.” A byproduct of her sport, Press’ physical features resemble the qualities of a gifted soccer player--butt muscles, thigh muscles, with a slimmer upper body. Press

opens up to being insecure about her body mentioning that, “In this day and age, it's really hard for women to love their bodies. We're bombarded by images of perfect bodies all the time. A lot of my teammates have more muscles, they're long, they're strong.” By participating in the ESPN Body Issue, she serves as a role model for all women who feel insecure about their bodies from and social and athletic perspective.

Critics may claim that this is a variation of the historically scandalous Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition highlighting the sexualization of women. However, what is really being examined in these annual Body Issues is the empowerment of a variety of body types and the sexualization of the nude. It allows the public to gain insight on the uncensored appearances of these female athletes and how their bodies are used in some of the greatest athletic achievements in history. Who knew that leaked nudes could be so empowering!

In conclusion, I will leave you with some words of wisdom from Press on the female body.

“It's my tool, my vessel for my job. I'm very grateful for the way that I feel when I play -- I feel very powerful, I feel fast, I feel unstoppable, and that's because of my body.” —Christen Press

Love your body. Test its limits and relish in its power. Feel comfortable in your own skin and do what makes your body come alive. Play to win, not to look pretty.

Be sure to check out the ESPN Body Issues! Which athletes inspire you?