Liz Jones’s article “Sinewy arms are NOT a good thing - and neither is sport” has sparked a lot of discussion over the past few days – a lot of it, unsurprisingly, among sportswomen. No doubt this was the intended reaction, but nevertheless it saddens me that such a shallow impression should be allowed to stand. Suggesting that sport is a miserable experience to be avoided, that sporting excellence can only be achieved at the expense of an education, and that sportswomen are boring and masculine is unjustifiable and untrue. Sinewy arms may be one product of the hard work athletes put in – but is that all there is to it?
Strange as it may seem, my sinewy arms signify to me great pride. The hours of training I have put in have allowed me to be part of many teams: school teams, university teams, county teams and even national teams. Teamwork – real teamwork – can be hard to come by these days. Everyone wants to be the best at what they do, and if there’s a way to get ahead of the competition, they take it. It is sad to think that someone could never experience the incredible feeling of being part of a team - every person willing the next to be the best they can be. Whether you’re a competitor, a coach, support staff, volunteer or supporter, you are part of the team, and you play a role in the victory. With every achievement follows a sense of pride, shared by every member of the team. Every member can learn from one another, regardless of age or experience, because the very nature of a team is that you’re all in it together. How can something that sparks such unity not be a “good thing” – particularly in the gloom inspired by current headlines detailing public riots, racial abuse, murder and the financial crisis to name a few? National pride – and the sense of responsibility for the future of our nation – is something we cannot appreciate enough, and the importance of teamwork, therefore, should not be dismissed.
Jones suggested that “helping people” is an alternative to sport, yet through sport athletes are helping others every day. The support of teammates can help an athlete overcome significant challenges, thereby building self-confidence and self-belief – qualities just as essential off the playing field as on it. From a different perspective, millions of pounds are raised each year through charitable sporting events, giving everyone the opportunity to do something selfless. Sporting organisations, youth groups and charities are all underpinned by a network of volunteers who give up their time to do exactly that: “help others” through the medium of sport.
Sacrifice, dedication and organisation are all a part of my sinewy arms. The majority of elite athletes have been training day-in, day-out for years, and as a result they have learnt to balance school, college, university or work with their training. Unlike Jones suggests, it is possible to read or study maths alongside sport. The two are not mutually exclusive: British diver Stacie Powell competed at the Olympics in 2008 and is studying for a PhD in astrophysics at Cambridge University; Olympic kayak champion Tim Brabants studied medicine at the University of Nottingham; water polo player Vicki Hawkins has combined her training with a PhD in Chemical Engineering; and swimming is so popular at Loughborough University that there are FIVE squads of student-athletes. Throughout the nation our universities and schools are filled with young men and women who are choosing to live their lives this way – and the choice is not to sacrifice their education, but to achieve in both the academic and sporting arenas. Not an easy task, and surely something to be applauded, not dismissed.
Clearly my sinewy arms signify physical strength, which, outside the sporting arena, could be useful for lifting cars off old ladies and winning arm wrestling contests. This aside, they are also a representation of mental strength and strength of character. It is all very well putting in the hours of training, eating healthily and getting plenty of rest, but without resilience and determination, an athlete couldn’t possibly reach their potential. There are frustrating injuries, fierce rivalries, and sometimes unexplainable dips in form which every athlete has had to battle through. The will to overcome these difficulties produces a mentally stronger individual, still intent on working towards a goal. Putting yourself on the line, day after day, results invariably in a mixed bag of outcomes. Some days you will win, and others you will lose. Although it can be a hard lesson for many, coping with disappointment and defeat is a integral part of sport, and one which will provide strength of character. Being a successful athlete teaches you to be gracious in victory as well as defeat. Picking oneself up after defeat and trying again takes immense willpower, and is something everyone can benefit from, within sport and in wider life. I don’t believe any of the lessons I’ve learnt through sport are exclusive to this part of my life – I intend to carry the dedication, strength, focus and pride through to the challenges I face in the future, whatever they may be. All are valuable to potential employers, and clearly demonstrable through sporting achievements.
Liz Jones appears to suggest that to be a top sportswoman you must be focused, boring and masculine. Focused: yes. Boring? I wonder if Liz Jones has ever watched a tennis match involving Serena Williams, or read an interview with Fran Halsall? Masculine? Has Liz Jones ever seen Jessica Ennis, Victoria Pendleton or Keri-Anne Payne? Sportswomen are powerful, yes, but they are also healthy, graceful and poised as a result of their dedication. Being focused and disciplined is not the same as being boring. Being masculine is not the same as being sporty. Sport IS a “good thing”. Aside from the undeniable health benefits, sport has given me an enormous sense of pride, an evident work-ethic, and friendships for life. Sinewy arms? I’ll take them.
