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Olympian: I’m not here to look sexy

British high jumper slams sexism in sport

22 year old British high jumper Isobel Pooley has spoken out about sexism in the sports world.

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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.

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“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.”

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