Let’s have a little Olympic chat, just some things on my mind during the Summer 2021 Games. The good, the bad, and somewhere in-between.

Let’s start with the good, well at least funny and amusing. Australia has commissioned a Furry Artist for their Olympic promotional art. _{(*Image of Furries in the linked article is so outdated, so ignore that.)} But as far as their whole promotion deal, it’s just fantastic! All the furry fandom is dying, I know we had to even reach out to our Aussie friends to get ahold of some of it.

Side note, Japan has some impressive art as well. Their art just pleases another nerdy crowd. You need to check it out! Each country is represented in anime samurai form!

This is a mix of good and a sign of needing change, Norweigh’s Female Handball team for taking a stand against the gender inequality and sexism in uniforms. They chose the Olympic fine to wear shorts vs the required bikini bottoms. Not only do I applaud them, but talk about sweet, Artist P!nk has offered to pay that fine for them.

“Sports appeal, not sex appeal” is another trending mantra from this year’s games. Here’s to hoping the Olympic Sports Broadcasters can create some change.

Now, for the “WTF?”…Why is Sha’Carri, relay runner that tested positive for weed banned for this year while the soccer team’s Meagan Rapinoe can promote CBD in workout routine get applauded for it? Just to clarify, my issue is not that of weed/CBD use, or any of them sharing or using. We clearly get that there is a difference between THC and CBD, but come on let’s really look at this. My issue is the double standards, that of one got severe punishment for it while the others are celebrated for being so “brave” to speak out in favor of it. That is a huge double standard! I’m also far from the only person seeing this issue.

Sha’Carri shared how she used weed in a moment of need. Just my humble opinion, but that moment is 100% justifiable. I couldn’t even imagine losing my mom, let alone how she found out! A reporter! She first found out about her mother’s passing from a person interviewing her. Sha’Carri didn’t get applauded for sharing that, still lost her position on the team. And you know what, she accepted this just isn’t here year for the Olympics.

The disparency between white and BIPOC athletes’ treatment is just so frustrating, disgusting, and heartbreaking. Let’s talk about racial double standards because if anything, this year has been so blatantly obvious, even with the swim cap issue. You’ll need to read the article linked, but really the justification is ridiculous. The short version, because Soul Caps don’t fit the “natural curve” of a human head. So really, not taking into account those with natural afro hairstyles.

Though there have been social justice waves that need addressing, there have been some wins. Glaad partnered with Tokyo House to create a guide for the world press when addressing LGBTQ+ athletes. Another step forward for the LGBTQ+ Community, the first openly trans athletes to participate in the Olympics! Laurel Hubbard, will be weightlifting for New Zealand’s team. And there’s Quinn, playing for the Canadian women’s soccer team. Extra fantastic timing as US state lawmakers are fighting and pushing bans on the trans community and that of trans athletes.

All that aside, a big wow! Let’s talk about the new generation of girls taking over skateboarding! Gold Medal going to a 13-year-old! Followed by ages 14 and 12. Now that’s impressive!

So, the games may have barely started but there are definitely some highs and lows to discuss already, and outside the games themselves. Totally one interesting year. How are you feeling about it? Are you trying to watch any of it this summer?