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Article
Podium Girls: Time to End the Tradition
Engaging Sports
  • Emily J. Houghton, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-8-2017
Abstract

Recently, organizers of the professional cycling event the Tour Down Under made the decision to eliminate “podium girls” and replace them with male junior riders on the men’s tour, thereby breaking from the tradition of other major professional cycling events like the Tour De France, Vuelta a Espana and Giro D’Italia. Podium girls are a highly visible component of the awards ceremony at the conclusion of bike races. The women are often impeccably dressed in matching outfits while presenting winners with prizes, flowers and kisses on the cheek. The role of podium girls and, in some instances, podium boys provides a snapshot of the ways in which traditional gender norms are reinforced in sport.

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Citation Information
Houghton, E. J. (2017, February 8). Podium Girls: Time to end the tradition. [Blog Post] Retrieved from: https://thesocietypages.org/engagingsports/2017/02/08/podium-girls-time-to-end-the-tradition/