The French association of women sports journalists and the union of sports journalists in France have issued a strong condemnation of sexist comments made during a women’s tennis match at the Paris Olympics. The remarks, made on national radio by a commentator during a doubles match between Caroline Garcia and Diane Parry of France and Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini of Italy, drew immediate criticism for their blatant sexism and stereotypical nature.
The commentator, while describing the Italian duo, made a crude remark about Sara Errani, stating: “On the left, there’s Sara Errani, who’s the boss. She does everything: the washing up, the cooking, the mopping up.” This comment, reducing a professional athlete to stereotypical domestic roles, was widely perceived as demeaning and disrespectful.
In a joint statement released on Thursday, both unions expressed their outrage, stating that “sexist and misogynistic comments have no place in an international competition.” While they didn’t explicitly call for sanctions against the journalist, they highlighted the swift action taken against a commentator from Eurosport in the UK who made sexist remarks during a swimming event at the Paris Games. The unions pointed out that “elsewhere in Europe, when there is a slipup, there are sanctions.”
The incident has sparked a debate about the need for greater accountability and sensitivity in sports commentary. It serves as a stark reminder that even in the realm of professional sports, ingrained biases and sexist attitudes can still manifest, requiring a conscious effort to promote equality and respect for all athletes.
