Sexy is the name of the game

Posted August 21, 2008

Remember just last week when you were watching that compelling table tennis match? You know the one -- it’s the 45th table tennis match you’ve watched this month. No? What do you mean, “No”!?! You haven’t watched any table tennis … ever? [insert gasp here]

Well, unlike you, the Chinese love themselves some table tennis. So, one would think that since they’re hosting the Olympics this year, the bleachers would be full for the “sport.” (I’m just not buying into this as a terribly athletic event.) Unfortunately for table tennis, that has not been the case. In fact, the stands have been all but empty for the female matches. Apparently, female table tennis isn’t the most compelling thing in the world to witness. Imagine that!

So, the International Table Tennis Federation (is that a joke?) is asking their female “athletes” to sex it up a bit. You know, show a little sumtin’ sumtin’ to bring the viewers around. The women of the game typically wear baggy shorts and shirts akin to basketball attire. Unfortunately, that isn’t that intriguing to look at; unlike Japan’s Naomi Yotsumoto, who plays her matches showing midriff, shoulders, and legs -- a far more intriguing site (according to the ITTF).

I’m not sure whether to be offended, laugh, agree with this from a business perspective, or feel sorry for the table tennis community in general. There are just so many emotions surging through me in the name of table tennis! (OK, not really people, calm down.)

Perhaps emotion is a stretch, but thoughts, I do occasionally have thoughts. And here they are (on this subject): I do not agree with asking any woman to sex herself up in any sport for the sake of the game. [Editor’s note: BOOOOOO!] Now, if FIFA would like to ask David Beckham to play naked in order to bring attention in the States to soccer, I’m all for that. I will even endorse, promote and personally advertise such an event -- that’s different.

I do, however, think men like sports, and men like to watch sexy women, so promoting the athletes’ sex appeal could bring some attention to the lesser known sports (some being the key word here). And sure, an athlete can individually benefit from sexing it up (just ask Gabriel Reese, Anna Kournikova, Amanda Beard and now Alicia Sacramone). But ultimately, it comes down to one thing – this is table tennis we’re talking about! Short of having Briana Banks take on Tera Patrick in a nude match (you dirty, dirty man/woman for knowing who I’m talking about). I don’t think any amount of “shoulder” or “leg” skin is going to spark a real interest in this sport.

So, ladies of table tennis, wear your baggy and comfortable clothes proudly if you so choose -- women should be able to be the best athletes they can be without having to hike a skirt down that’s riding up or put a boob back in after a bouncy mishap. And even if you did, people still aren’t going to be compelled by table tennis (ouch!)