Cook out of line with boycott remark
Roar Guru By Cameron Larkin, 24 Jul 2012 Cameron Larkin is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- beach volleyball, London 2012 Olympics, Natalie Cook
Only weeks before the London Olympics, Australian volleyballer Natalie Cook has created headlines by her comments regarding the national flag bearer at the opening ceremony.
Cook recently said, “If a male carries the flag I will sit in protest, it has to be a woman.”
Whether or not you agree with Cook, her public remarks on the prestigious position in the opening ceremony are out of line, arrogant and disrespectful. The comments apply unneeded pressure on chef de mission Nick Green.
Gender should not, ever, form a part of the selection criteria.
Only three women have carried the Australia flag – Raelene Boyle (Montreal 1976), Denise Boyd (Moscow 1980, sharing with Max Metzker) and Jenny Donnett (Barcelona 1992). One of the most respected Australian athletes, Dawn Frazer, summed it up best: “We shouldn’t be having this debate … they (the athletes) need to drop it and concentrate on winning medals.”
Basketball legend and Olympian Lindsay Gaze was another astounded with Cook’s comments: “Her attitude diminishes her chances of being a flag bearer. I don’t think her characteristics or qualities are typical of those of the past. Being the flag bearer has nothing to do with gender – it’s about leadership.”
Cook’s comment is far from that of a leader but is an act just shy of a child’s tantrum – acknowledging this, Cook did however say, “I just sort of said ‘if it not a female I’ll throw all my toys out of the pram and sit.”
What I, along with many other Australians, feel, is that several Olympians have lost sight of the fact the public is funding their opportunity to play sport on the big stage overseas. No matter if you’re at the front of the Australian pack or the last person to enter the arena in green and gold, just be thankful you have the chance to be there.
I know her sport rarely gains attention and she may not be accustomed to the media and spotlight but then it just seems by making the statement, Cook is creating hype for all the wrong reasons.
The Australian Olympics team has been in the media lately, but rarely has it been positive news. Sprinter John Steffensen and veteran shooter Russell Mark are two examples of this. Steffensen has once again been outspoken in the run up to the London games, but then again that isn’t anything new. Mark on the other hand shot off his mouth when he was fuming about not be able to room with his wife Lauryn during the sporting event.
Come on guys and girls. Stop being so petty. Cease making stupid comments to the media and tarnishing the entire team.
Remember you’re there to represent the country of origin proudly and with professionalism and respect – that shouldn’t be a difficult thing to do.
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The Crowd Says (6) | Page 1 of Comments
Have Your Say
- Explore:
- beach volleyball, London 2012 Olympics, Natalie Cook
July 24th 2012 @ 8:42am
Hoy said | July 24th 2012 @ 8:42am | Report comment
Kind of backed herself into a hole with her “joke”.
I found it poor. The flag bearer has always been someone deserving. I get tired of the play of people pushing agendas.
Prior to this outburst, it was probably a fair thought that after 4 or 5 olympics it might have been her. After this outburst, I am sorry, I think even if it is a woman, it is poor, and I will always wonder who it might have been had this outburst not happened. You will never know now.
July 24th 2012 @ 9:15am
Bondy said | July 24th 2012 @ 9:15am | Report comment
Most articles relating to the Olympics so far have pertained some form of sexist overtones,the shooter cant r##t his wife,women up the back of the plane,potential boycott by one female athlete if flagbearer is not female. I wish this festivity of sport never ends.
Their should be a reality tv show ” The Wind Down” where we can watch the after party vomiting, sex, gambling,theft. Its got legs.
I dont know why Nick Green would want to pose as a chef he cant cook “allegadely”.
July 24th 2012 @ 10:05am
Matt F said | July 24th 2012 @ 10:05am | Report comment
They almost can’t pick a female to carry the flag now. Even if they were completely deserving of the honour, the media and general public will question the legitimacy of the decision and wonder if they are simply bowing to pressure. And let’s be honest here, as we’ve seen with the Stilnox and Monk/Darcy photo issue, they don’t mind overreacting to preserve their “image.”
July 24th 2012 @ 12:26pm
Bondy said | July 24th 2012 @ 12:26pm | Report comment
Couldnt agree more, its a shame.
July 24th 2012 @ 10:07am
Australian Rules said | July 24th 2012 @ 10:07am | Report comment
Cook is a dill.
Surely she’s diminished whatever chances she had of carrying the flag. It’s an honour…you don’t ask for it…you certainly don’t campaign via the media for it.
Anyway, this idea that it HAS to be a woman is complete nonsense.
Do you want it to be a woman because a woman deserves it? Or do you want it to be a woman due to some token gesture to “even up” the tally…as though that somehow underscores Australia’s gender equality. Again, Cook is a dill.
July 24th 2012 @ 10:56am
Mantis said | July 24th 2012 @ 10:56am | Report comment
I used to like Natalie Cook…