Re: the tempest in a teapot involving the selection of Zenyatta to the athlete of the year list (the mare was second, and filly Rachel Alexandra was seventh), the double standard seems to be the most important hang-up to address. If horses are considered worthy competition only in the case of female athletes, or if it it's clear that a human women did better and yet was being passed up for the slot that went to the horse, then this would be cause for outrage. However horses have made the list for male athletes in the past, and these horses truly electrified the sports world in the way few other competitors, male or female, did this year. Zenyatta competed, worked hard, and deserves the credit.

Oddly enough, Serena Williams' selection was almost as controversial as that of the horses. The end of her year was certainly ignominious, but look at all the 'athlete of the decade' nods Tiger Woods is receiving, and he hasn't even really dealt with his idiocy yet. She paid the piper and had a fantastic season that should be acknowledged.

View Original Post at ftlouie.typepad.com/womensports

• Filed Under:  
• Tennis, Sports, SportsPLUS, OpEd, Awards

• Tags:
• tennis
• women and sports

There is 1 comment on this post. Join the discussion!

GoonSquadSarah	I agree that Zenyatta is a phenomenal athlete, but I do not believe that horses belong on that list. She should be the top horse athlete, or top animal athlete. The thing is that if as women we need our own list it is insulting that an animal beat the #2 human.
	Thursday, December 24, 2009 at 8:15pm EST