The word "Cougar" -- Hot Topic 3

I’ve been home now for just over 24 hours. Since my return, I have made a trip to the chiropractor, trained, recovered my lost passport (yes I lost and found my passport), chatted with friends, laughed and capped off the day with quality internet time. What did we do before the internet???

My home page is set to aol, so before I log into my account I take a moment to see what the new stories for the day are. This evening, as the various stories flashed across the screen, one disappointingly caught my attention “Mario Bello Joins the Cougar Club.” How is this among the hottest news for the day? Ironically, I just blogged on age and sport, but can’t help resisting the need to discuss this irritating word Cougar.

For those of you who don’t know what a “Cougar” is, it is a term referring to an older woman, (usually in her 40s, 50s or 60s) who sexually pursues younger men (usually in their 20s and 30s). Obviously, I have a huge problem with this term. It’s kind of derogative, if you ask me.

Now, while I have dated younger men, it actually is not my personal preference. But, that’s me. (I also like anchovies on pizza and room temperature water, but that's me again.)

I see no problem with a women or a man choosing to date someone younger. However, I do feel the word “Cougar” in reference to a woman is offensive, degrading and a sexist word. Since, when is it acceptable to refer to females with disparaging terms? And what makes this word more offensive is that it seems to be in vogue.

Men have been chasing, dating and marrying younger women for years, but socially it is deemed to be acceptable and okay. Yet, a woman who pursues this same path is a woman on the prowl – hunting for the young victim man. How is it socially acceptable in this day and age to refer to a woman as a Cougar?

I can’t tell you the number of 40s, 50s or 60s year olds who have tried to talk to me and to what word do I have to refer to these men. Is it possible that they are equally interested in me because of my difference in age? Should I then call them mid-life crisis men? That’s pretty offensive and also not appropriate. How about we just refer to someone who prefers a younger person to their actual given name? Everyone is allowed to have preferences and should not be stigmatized and/or stereotyped by it.

Free to love whom ever,
Nicole

Drugs and Sports

Ahh… Home at last… After my rendez-vous of competitions in Europe I have returned home. Overall, I am content with my performances. They could have been a bit better but they could have always been less. Most importantly I managed to stay healthy and return in one piece. Of course, my series of competitions would not be complete without that frequent drug test. Yes, I was randomly picked for a drug test yesterday in London. At this point in the season I have lost count of how many drug tests I’ve had.

I have become so use to being drug tested, that I usually try to stay hydrated so I’ll be ready to provide my 100 ml of urine sample. But, yesterday, I was in such a hurry to get back to the hotel to enjoy 2 servings of an incredible chocolate cake (my last indulgence before the Olympic Games), that I wasn’t ready to be delayed in my quest. So, as it went, it took me 2 hours to provide a urine sample and by that time the hotel’s chocolate cake was devoured by other athletes also indulging!!! ..lol… C’est la vie!

It seems as the Olympic Games draws to a near, the spot light on amateur sports intensifies. But it also seems the topic of Drugs becomes more prominent. Frankly, I’ve grown tired of these discussions, because there is sometimes an unspoken assumption that a great performance may be linked to drugs. Specifically, in sports where one is racing a time, distance or height.

Unlike professional sports, track and field institutes an aggressive testing regime. It has the strictest procedure in place. If you are top 20 in the world (or in Canada a Canadian athlete) you are required to submit a Whereabouts Form. This form must detail where we will be for the next 3 months. If for some reason we deviate from our projected plan (let’s say a trip to Aunt Mary’s instead of being at home) you must submit an updated form immediately!

Testers come unannounced with out any warning – and you must be where you say you will be. Failure may result in a warning and eventual drug violation resulting in suspension or ban. Moreover, those who are in violation are publicly announced. For this reason, the general public may hear of a drug infraction in Athletics more readily.

I believe the system in place makes a strong action in discouraging drug abuse and the cases are far and few. What I don’t tolerate is the assumption that Athletics (Track & Field) is a dirty sport. If someone wants to cheat they will – no matter the sport or genre – be it in professional sports, amateur sports or life! Drugs can wrongfully advantage all athletes & individuals, especially when the ultimate goal is performance. And performance can come in the shape of a time, distance, ability to play longer, to be focus or be fired up. Rather than focus on who has taken drugs and who may, I prefer to take solace in knowing our sport has a good system in place to catch the cheaters more readily.

I choose to celebrate the amazing performances out there demonstrating the wonders of the human possibilities (and let the system take care of the cheaters). After all, if it’s not good stuff, it doesn’t deserve my attention!

I completely support a drug free sport, and I am glad we have the testing system in place that we have.

Proud supporter of a Drug Free Sport,
Nicole

Age, Women & Sport – Age is Mind over Matter…if you don’t mind it doesn’t matter, and I don’t mind so it doesn’t matter!

There seems to be a double standard with aging, especially as it relates to athletes and females. Dara Torres, a great American swimmer, has recently gained a lot of attention. Not because she is an incredible swimmer, but because she is 41 years old and has qualified for the Olympic Games. People are so quick to put an expiration date on the abilities of an athlete, especially if they are a female. Did you know there will be many more experienced aged athletes (for their sport) at the Olympic Games including the likes of Equestrian rider Ian Miller (61-years old), Kayaker David Miller (41-years old), German Gymnast Oksana Chusovitina (33-years old) and Cyclist Jeannie Longo (49 years old), to name a few?

When an athlete starts performing poorly and they are older the natural tendency is to attribute it to one’s age – ‘they are getting up there in age so they are not as good as they were when they were younger.’ While, I acknowledge the effects of aging on the body, sometimes people may be experiencing personal problems, fatigue, an injury or just are in a slump. But, because someone is beyond a certain age common for their sport there is a natural tendency to attribute poor performances to age. This kind of stereotype is NOT acceptable in the workforce so why is it in sports. It actually is ageism and IT’S WRONG!

The modern athlete trains under advanced conditions/knowledge, eats & recovers more wisely, and has the access of therapists who are constantly finding better ways to treat athletes. Knowledge is a click away with the birth of the internet and high quality 3-dimensional computer analysis for biomechanics. Facilities and sports equipments are also improving. All of these factors assist in extending the competitive life of an athlete. Doesn’t it make sense that athletes are lasting in their sports? Moreover, there is something called “mastery.” It takes an athlete approximately 10 years or 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to master a sport.

Ironically, parents unknowingly will clamor to have their child specialize in a sport at an early age with hopes of little Johnny becoming the next great one (citing figures like Tiger Wood as their example). What most don’t realize is that Tiger Woods is the exception and not the norm. An athlete’s best chance at becoming elite is a resume which includes a rich, diverse sport background encapsulating many sports, while delaying specialization. Which, when done properly can extend an athlete’s life incredibly.

One last note – female athletes may not stay in sports as long as their male counter parts, not because of being too old, but because of a new passionate commitment to a family. They become wives and mothers -- carrying a child in their womb for 9 months and then engaging in caretaking and raising a family. So to women like Torres I give a loud support, cheer and applaud.

Fortunately, for me my performances now are stronger than they’ve ever been, as I’m starting to understand the high jump. True, I began track and field when I was almost 18 years old, so perhaps I’m benefiting from delayed specialization. Thus, my blog is not a response to any personal assailment I may have encountered. But, just an observation of another double standard some women and aging athletes may endure. And in case you were wondering – yes, you probably can continue to look for me for another 4 years or so in athletics…or at least until it is not fun anymore.

Proud to be a woman, an athlete and 31 years of age,

Nicole W. Forrester, Masters of Education (M.Ed, B.Sc and B.A)
Doctoral Candidate
6-Time Canadian Champion
Olympian




References

Côté, J, Young, B, North, J and Duffy, P. (2007). Towards a Definition in Excellence in Sport
Coaching. International Journal of Coaching Science. 1 (1): 3-17.


Erickson K, Côté J, Fraser-Thomas J. (2007). Sport experiences, milestones, and educational activities associated with high-performance coaches' development. Sport Psychologist. 21 (3): 302-316.



Fraser-Thomas, J.L., Côté, J., & Deakin, J. (2005). Youth sport programs: An avenue to foster positive youth development. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 10, 49-70.

HOT TOPICS

A note of warning -- my next few blog entries will be on hot topics, possibly controversial, but bottom line things that I want to get off my chest. I’m sounding off. And once it’s said, it’s said, requiring no revisit on my part, but simply things I’ve been thinking. This blog offers an excellent platform and an opportunity. It’s more about debunking stereotypical thought patterns which annoy me – ranging from age in sports, sexism and drug abuse….Enjoy!

A day of nothing!

~Resting between my meet in Stockholm and my next competition in London~

Today I spent a day dedicated to doing nothing… And it felt great. Must needed I must admit... especially after 2 days of competition in a span of 3 days. I arose from my deep 10 hours of sleep and embarked on a day of simply existing. It went something like this:

9:56 am: Awoke
9:57 am: Brushed teeth and washed face
10:03 am: Breakfast with some good chatting with a friend
10:49 am: Return to room to surf the web, rest the eyes, lay causally around and pretty much do nothing
12:45 pm: Some grumbling in my stomach..letting me know “I’m hungry”
12:46 pm: Ignore the stomach chatter
1:20pm: Stomach getting louder and angrier
1:21pm: make my way downstairs to go find something to quiet my stomach
2:00pm: Eat!
2:12pm: Chatter with my Canadian and Michigan buddy Kevin Sullivan
4:00pm: Return to my room to do …. Nothing
7:10pm: Get ready to go to a Chiropractor
7:30pm: See a chiropractor
8:10pm: Return to hotel and have dinner while enjoying a good magazine
9:00pm: Make a pit stop to McDonald’s for a Caramel Sunday…mmm delicious
9:10pm: Return to hotel and read some more of my magazine in the lobby
10:00pm: Return to room to do nothing..again.. and enjoy a good glass of Cabernet Sauvignon wine from Chile

My next mission is to take a shower and enjoy a nice rest….

This has been such a good day and juxtaposition from my normal day, which usually begins at 7am and involves a sandwiched day of training, recovery, and reading, studying and venturing from one appointment to the next. Last year, I was pulling in 90 hours a week of work, with my studies and training combined. This year I’ve moderated it down to a more manageable 60 hours. And you thought all I did was jump over a stick… Dream on…

Revived and refreshed,
Nicole

Are you excited to go to the Olympic Games?

Well, it’s officially been 2 weeks since I have been named to the Canadian Olympic team. During this time I received numerous telephone calls and emails all asking me about my outlook on the Olympic Games. Specifically, most interviewers are interested in knowing if I am excited? To say I was excited, would be to make it seem like I was going to watch some great entertainer or go to some amusement park. Sort of like when you’re a kid and you are counting down the days until Christmas or going to Disney World. Probably if I was an onlooker, I would be extrememly excited! I would be counting down the days in anticipation!

But, as an athlete it's not excitement I feel but rather a desire to be prepared. To know I'm in the best possible shape I could be, and that I couldn't have prepared any better. You could liken this preparation phase to that of taking a final exam. I'm not sure excitement encapsulates this experience, especially when you are an athlete competiting at the end of the Games. I am relieved and gratful to be have been named to the Canadian Olympic team -- making it on the merit of my hard work, dedication and perseverance. However, my qualification is merely a check point I had to pass to enter the next round.

Patiently preparing,

Nicole

Are You Going to the Olympics?

Well, it’s been some time since I last wrote a blog. I have pretty much disappeared into oblivion. I think with the Olympic Trials looming ever so close, I began to focus all attention towards qualification for the Olympic Games. This proved to be a stressful, but learning experience. I felt like I aged 20 years in the process!

For selection I was required to jump 1.95m (6’4 ¾) one month prior or during the Canadian Olympic Trials, and place top 4. The latter criteria, was less difficult, but the performance standard was a challenge (given the limited technical training I had this spring due to an ankle injury). I was jumping well in my competitions, but the performances weren’t coming through – my timing was off, and I was starting to pick up bad habits. Time and opportunity to jump this standard felt like it was running out…like sand through an hour glass!

Finally, after aggravating my ankle and experiencing a poor performance in Eberstadt, Germany (the high jump Mecca), I decided it would be best to head home – see my therapist and train with what little time remained. But, what this meant was that I would have 1 chance only to jump the required height – our Olympic Trials. I would have to jump 1.95m there, regardless of the conditions.

This could have seemed like an omniscient task, especially given the technical problems I was experiencing. But, I think I finally reached a point where I cared but just didn’t anymore. I just wanted to return to enjoying the high jump putting all requirements aside. And so I did, and in the process jumped 1.95m – setting a new Canadian Championship record and stadium record in the process.

Now, I can breathe deeply and respond to the frequent questions “Are you going to the Olympics?” with an affirming “Yes” response. Now the real work begins. Qualification was only the first part in this journey to Beijing, but competing and performing on the Olympic stage is another. I am enjoying this process, and look forward to the results!

Focused and Deliberate,
Nicole