Olympian on holidays?

After the shooter Mark debacle, it's interesting to see the reaction to the new controversy now sweeping the media here. I will reserve my thoughts on this for now as I can't be bothered with some of the hysteria flying around about anyone daring to be critical of one of our Olympians. Firstly, I came across this story in the SMH yesterday:

Jones not in London for a holiday, coach insists

LEISEL Jones' coach, Michael Bohl, has vehemently rejected suggestions she was treating the Olympics as anything other than serious competition, and says she has been performing well in training and is in good condition to compete next week.

Jones has repeatedly said these Games were the icing on the cake for her, having created history by becoming the first Australian swimmer to qualify for four Olympics.

Some feel that Jones is not in the best shape and is treating London as a farewell tour, not taking it as seriously as she had the previous three Games, where she won a total of eight medals.
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Here she is in Beijing:

 and here she is today:

Now the shit has hit the fan, with everyone coming to her defence, claiming everything from women being denigrated to those doing the criticising being "un-Australian". Cathy Freeman for example:

OLYMPIC sprinting legend Cathy Freeman has hit out at critics of Leisel Jones' pre-Olympics body, labelling them "un-Australian".

"It's not very friendly or encouraging at this stage," Freeman said.

"I think it's very un-Australian, to be quite frank.

"All of us need to be supportive of our athletes.

"Liesel is an Olympic champion and we have to give her the respect she deserves.
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Oh come on Cathy, get a grip. This comment (from another women) puts things in a much better perspective: 

Recently retired swimmer Alice Tait said: “The questioning over Leisel Jones fitness due to an unflattering photo is exactly what many girls have body image issues! Makes me so angry!”

Giaan Rooney said: “Anyone commentating on Leisel’s weight three days out from the Olympics should be ashamed. Should be celebrating our athletes not pulling them down.”

It’s understandable they would want to protect their friend. But invoking the “body image” debate in this case is a bit of a stretch.

Jones has not been papped on a beach while on holidays looking a bit comfortable around the middle. She has been selected to represent Australia at the absolute peak of competition. In the sport of swimming it doesn’t get any more significant than the Olympics.

There’s no doubt pop culture and the media has a big impact on the body image of young women. And I generally plop on the side of the fence where we don’t pass judgement on what women look like in their swimmers, partly out of self-interest and party because I agree the media influence on young women can be damaging to their self-esteem.

Leisel Jones is a champion. Making her fourth Olympics is a spectacular achievement. She is a role model.

But we’re not blind. Discussion of her condition is legitimate, not an attack on the sisterhood.
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