Sports Illustrated’s Magnificent 7 Update is Depressing

Sure, you can work for the U.S. Department of Justice like Kerri Strug, or you can be a pediatrician like Amy Chow — both members of the “Magnificent Seven,” the team of female gymnasts who helped the U.S. win gold at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. But in seems that in the eyes of Sports Illustrated, getting married and having babies are your biggest post-Games accomplishments, judging by a feature in its current issue that lists each athlete’s spouse in the opening line of their “where are they know”-style bio.

Let’s give SI the benefit of the doubt for a second. Starting each woman’s description with the same line could be a style element. But some people aren’t buying that.

When a publication lists, “Married [insert spouse’s name here]” at the beginning of each woman’s synopsis, followed directly by the names and ages of her children, it appears that the editors are valuing marital and mom status over, say, owning and operating your own gym, like former Olympian Shannon Miller. Or being a motivational speaker, like Magnificent Seven gymnast Dominique Dawes. That’s not to say these women’s marriages and roles as parents are not important or noteworthy parts of their current lives — not by a long shot. But as much as we admire the publication for featuring these fierce women, their execution is pretty damning.

Of course, not everyone sees it that way. When editor @britneecann posted a photo of the feature to social media, pointing out the obvious, @Alyse_On_Life replied, “I have no understanding of why this is strange that the other half is listed first in their life.” Tweeter @michelleruiz clarified, “We know them for their athletic achievements not their personal lives. Why should they come first for either?”

She brings up a good question. Is getting married an achievement? It’s an ongoing debate in the media. In March, ABC News covered the debate around author Natalie Brooke’s Huffington Post article, which stated, “Getting engaged and getting married is not an accomplishment.” She added, “Women are entrepreneurs, lawyers, teachers, CEOs, inventors, designers, researchers, writers, consultants and so much more. … You don’t have to have a brain, drive or special skill set to get married. You just have to have a willing partner.”

Wondering whether 27-year-old Brooke has a willing partner herself? She does. In fact, having her now-fiancé put a ring on it is what, she felt, gave her the freedom to finally speak her mind on the matter. The post garnered 976 comments and staggering 24,000 likes. Her opinion clearly struck a chord.

This isn’t the first time Sports Illustrated has been accused of sexism. “Last Week Tonight” host John Oliver took down the longstanding Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in his popular “How Is This Still a Thing?” segment last year. And Amy Poehler made a special appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers to join the host for the duo’s epic “Really!?! With Seth and Amy” bit, in which they slammed Sports Illustrated contributor Andy Benoit for tweeting, “Women’s sports in general not worth watching.”

“I think a lot of people who would love to see you say that to Serena Williams. … really,” Poehler quipped, adding, “I guess I’m not surprised you work for Sports Illustrated. You guys put out a swimsuit issue every year dedicated entirely to women who aren’t in sports, unless you think that it’s a sport to cover both boobs with one arm?”

So let us break it down for you. All seven magnificent, forward-rolling, back-tucking, front-flipping 1996 Olympic gymnasts are now married — to fine partners, we’re sure. All but Jaycie Phelps are moms, too.

Kerri Strug not only works for the Department of Justice — she’s part of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, according to ESPN — but the UCLA graduate is also a “motivational speaker based in Tucson.”

Dominique Dawes “works as a broadcaster, coach, and motivational speaker in Washington, D.C.” She is the first black person to win an Olympic gold medal in gymnastics. According to Vogue, in 2010, President Obama made her co-chair of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition.

Amanda Borden “owns and coaches at two gyms near Phoenix”— one of which is the Gold Medal Gym in Tempe, Ariz., according to her Twitter bio — and “provides gymnastic commentary on television” for ESPN and other stations.

Amy Chow, the first Asian-American to win an Olympic medal in gymnastics, is a pediatrician based in northern California. According to Vogue, the Stanford grad is also “an elite diver, pianist, and pole-vaulter.”

Dominique Moceanu is “owns a jewelry line, Creations by C&C. Works as a coach, choreographer, and motivational speaker out of Cleveland.” She’s also the author of a children’s book series and a memoir.

Shannon Miller, an ovarian cancer survivor, operates her own gym in Jacksonville, Fla., and works as a motivational speaker and broadcaster. She’s also the recipient of an individual gold medal for balance beam, and won 16 world championships. She’s a law school graduate who “started an eponymous foundation to fight childhood obesity,” Vogue reports.

Jaycie Phelps “owns and operates Jaycie Phelps Athletic Center in Greenfield, Indiana.” She’s been inducted in the U.S. Gymnastics Hall of Fame and was awarded Sagamore of the Wabash, which is the highest award bestowed upon Indiana resident.

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