Wow, wow, wow. That would be different. Not much different, but definitely different. The most ardent and numerous of watchers of sport competitions are men. More and more women are joining their ranks. There are more and more women athletes to watch. There seems to be more and more of them to watch.
As a 64 year old heterosexual man, married to a women for 41 years, I have noticed the tendency towards a return to this ancient tradition, at least in part. Now as a married heterosexual man, I don’t feel that I have permission to pay close attention to female athletic bodies beyond how fast and coordinated and strong they can be. I feel that it is suggested that I keep my focus on the finish lines, distance markings, pool water and timing clocks.
This can be stressful. I think a return to the traditions of yore might be quite beneficial.
The hurdles to clear are daunting however, the bar raised high. We would have to believe that men could gaze at a nude athlete and not be thinking about how to beat out the completion to have sex with that body.
We would have to eradicate notions about how much skin a women bare before she is asking to be raped. Come on, why are we still so far from eradicating any notion that one is wearing or not wearing, has anything at all to do with clear consent for sexual activity. The body language of consent for sexual activity does not speak fashion.
We would need to know what to do when a male athlete has an erection of any degree. What to do if a female athlete showed evidence of menstruation.
Would a nude Olympics be an advancement of civilization?
Would a nude Olympics just add to voice of the pornography industry that your partner’s body just isn’t worth looking at?
What if nude meant no jewelry, no lip stick, no tattoos, no nothing?
What if nude athletes were allowed to stink, due to wearing no deodorant or perfume?
This could drive fans to stop buying all sorts of things if athletes made this look fashionable. This could result in a global economic crisis.
A possible way to clear this hurdle would be to establish clearer and more nuanced guidelines as what to wear when. I quake at this thought. I still don’t know what “business casual” means. Many men don’t.
I’ll face my fear and suggest some categories. “Olympic Nude” we have already discussed. Suitable for athletic competition. This look is always accessorized with protective gear as indicated. Such gear is flesh tone in the colour of the athlete and sans any corporate advertising.
The “I Am Prepared to Have Sex With You Look,” would be more varied. It would not be worn in group settings, other than in preparation for a group sexual experience, (yuch).
The “I Am Auditioning For A Potential Sex Partner Look,” would be clearly differentiated from the “I Would Like To See If An Acquaintanceship, Could Develop Into A Friendship And Maybe More,” look.
Then there would be the “Let’s Focus On Our Work Together Look” which includes designs focused on supporting relaxed effort.
Fashion blunders would be easier to prevent. Before going out it would be easier to know that wedding rings and “I Am Ready To Have Sex With You,” may clash. Changing rooms may develop long lines. Oh well.
I am going to undress the athletes with my eyes, as they enter the arena for this year’s closing ceremony. I am going to imagine them coming in looking more alike than different. I am going to picture them proud of the work they put into to keeping their bodies healthy, what ever shape they are in.
If my wife asks, I’ll tell her that is what I am looking at.
As I am looking, I will pretend I don’t see any National flags either, for this most special imaginary occasion.
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