22 year old British high jumper Isobel Pooley has spoken out about sexism in the sports world.
Writing for the BBC, Pooley says that while she hasn’t personally encountered sexism within athletics, she is highly aware that female sports-people are often objectified.
“It saddens me to read that objectification and sexulisation makes some women feel undermined and not taken seriously in their professional roles, but I think this can change,” she wrote.
“All I can say is, if you don’t take me seriously then it’s at your own risk!
“I’d rather earn respect and admiration for my physical achievements than my looks.
“When I’m training and competing, I am far more concerned with my performance than whether I might look stereotypically feminine or otherwise.”
Pooley won a silver medal for England at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and set a new record for the Brits in 2015.
“It’s always lovely to receive a compliment but sometimes people do miss the point,” says Pooley. “I’m out there trying to jump high and break records, not to look sexy.”
