In an ironic twist of fate, the state that produced Olympic medalists Aly Raisman, Tim Daggett, and Peter Kormann is removing boys’ high school gymnastics from official competition.
Over the objections of area coaches, the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association decided last week to end recognized competition among the handful of high schools that have boys’ gymnastics teams. The seven schools with all-boys’ gymnastics programs are Andover, Attleboro, Braintree, Burlington, Lowell, Newton North, and Newton South.
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I'm very disturbed by the level of sexism (and thinly veiled homophobia) in Wetzel's comment that "gymnastics is a girls' sport." Clearly, he is not the man to represent the best interests of ALL children. Imagine if he referred to gymnastics as a "Jewish sport," or a "black sport!" He'd be fired on the spot. Why is he allowed to say such things about boys or girls? And does he not understand that kids play sports in high school for fun and competition? The vast majority of high school athletes will never end up on Wheaties boxes. That's not the point of youth sports. This man is a Neanderthal.
“It’s a girls’ sport,” said Wetzel, referring to the lopsided participation rates. “When was the last time you watched boys’ gymnastics? They don’t get on the cover of the Wheaties box. They don’t get the endorsements.”
Because endorsements are the reasons why kids should play high school sports?
I agree with the other poster who says this man is an Neanderthal.