ASHE SCHOW: Pointless Olympics outrage over female athletes and headlines.
Those looking for sexism everywhere have found it again, at least according to them.
A headline in the Greeley (Colo.) Tribune for an Associated Press story read in large bold print: “Phelps ties for silver in 100 fly.” It then read in smaller print right underneath: “Ledecky sets world record in women’s 800 freestyle.”
Cue the outrage.
I mean, how dare a newspaper try to sell newspapers by leading with the more recognizable name? It was a surprise that most-decorated Olympic athlete of all time, Michael Phelps, only took the silver in the 100m butterfly event. And if you’re wondering why a silver from Phelps leads a gold from swimmer Katie Ledecky, just read that last sentence. Phelps is the most-decorated Olympic athlete of all time. He is a household name.
That’s not saying no one has heard of Ledecky. After her performance in these Olympics, she will no doubt get sponsorship deals and become one of the most well-known athletes in the world. But this is her second Olympics. It is Phelps’ fifth. Ledecky will become a household name after only her second Olympics showing. Phelps didn’t become well known until after his third Olympics in 2008, when he broke the record for most gold medals won in a single Olympics.
The point is to keep women agitated and ready to turn out for Hillary. Likewise, similar treatment for other Democratic constituency groups.