The decision to use topless models on the red carpet of the I Support Women in Sport Awards on Monday night has caught the ire of many. It’s disappointing. But it doesn’t change the fact the awards are held to celebrate a terrific cause: to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our female athletes.
It is a rare opportunity for all of us to fete over the incredibly talented and diverse Australian women in sport.
If we want the focus to be on the women who were awarded, instead of their objectification, or their image or the semi-naked models that we were used on the night, we need to focus on them. These are some of the athletes who were recognised on the night; they deserve to be in the limelight so here they are.
Sally Pearson
Congratulations to the winners of the 2014 I Support Women in Sport Awards.
Local Heroine
Katie Williams
Fair Fighter
Jordan Mercer
Service to the Sport
Catherine Cox
Leadership Legend
Laura Geitz
Person of Sporting Words
Mel McLaughlin
A-Team of the Year
Diamonds
One to Watch
Emma McKeon
Moment of the Year
Women’s 4x100m swimming relay team
Outstanding Woman in Sport
Jessica Fox
Women’s Health Sports Woman of the Year
Sally Pearson
Jessica Fox