Black Women in the Olympics: Fighting for equality, their mental health, and to just be…Black.

The Tokyo Olympics came and went this year but not without several headlines of prejudice and racism aimed at Black athletes with the majority being women. There was the disqualification of Sha’Carri Richardson for drug use, the prohibition of swim caps created for Black athletes with natural hairstyles, as well as the attacks on Naomi Osaka and Simone Biles for putting their mental health over competition. It became very clear that the International Olympics Committee (IOC) was creating obstacles for Black women athletes to not only compete, but also to just be who they are…. Black.

“It sent me into a state of emotional panic,” she said, adding, “I didn’t know how to control my emotions or deal with my emotions during that time.” – Sha’Carri Richardson

One of the first incidents was when the IOC decided to penalize the USA’s track-sensation Sha’Carri Richardson for competing due to Cannabis use that resulted in failed drug test. The IOC used the excuse “rules are rules” in making their decision against Richardson, without taking into any consideration that Richardson had just lost her mother. The rules state that there is zero-tolerance for drug use in the Olympics. Richardson used cannabis to help with her grief and anxiety, while in a state where it is legal to use. THC reduces anxiety, helps with pain and muscle spasticity, as well as insomnia. It does not in any way give a person a competitive advantage in sports.

The issue here isn’t necessarily the “rules” but more so who they do and don’t apply to. Shortly after the decision to disqualify Richardson, the Olympics highlighted soccer player Megan Rapinoe and her new CBD (which is a natural compound of the cannabis plant, as is THC) product line.  Instantly there were questions raised, how is it Megan Rapinoe cannot only participate in the Olympics, but also promote a Cannabis-based product with the help of other white women athletes and be celebrated for it. Seeing the attempted cancellation of Richardson and the celebration of Rapinoe is one example of the hypocrisy and prejudice a Black athlete faces in comparison to her white counterparts.

While the IOC was handing down penalties to Richardson, and glorifying Rapinoe, FINA (International Swimming Federation) also was creating a new “rule” that would be another clear example of prejudice against Black women athletes. They decided to ban the use of the ‘Soul Cap’ which is a swimming cap created to help swimmers have more room for hairstyles such as braids, Locs, voluminous curls, Afro’s, etc.

“This is so much bigger than banning a type of cap,” said Lia Neal, a two-time Olympic medalist for the US.”

Those hair styles are natural, a part of Black culture, and the creators of ‘Soul Cap’ knew they could be useful for Black swimmers. Yet, somehow FINA ruled in the use of them being permitted, providing no real explanation, other than the concern of them being potentially performance-enhancing. However, the reality of it is there is no additional benefit to a swimmer’s performance that stems from their swim cap, it is simply another barrier created to impact Black Athletes.

With all of these scenarios going on before and during the Olympics, you can imagine the mental toll all of this has on Black athletes in addition to the physical impact they’re enduring while competing at this high of a level. Mental health issues have been “taboo” for far too long, athletics being an area where up until recently have been overlooked. It is no surprise that after being in a pandemic for over a year, the current state of racism and police brutality within the US, amongst the many other uncertainties, several Olympic athletes have decided to withdraw from competition to focus on their mental health.  Why is it that superstar athletes like Naomi Osaka, and Simone Biles are currently being persecuted for their withdrawals from the 2021 Olympics?

Naomi Osaka made a decision earlier this summer to withdraw from several competitions and interviews due to the impacts they were having on her mental health. Simone Biles recently chose to leave the Olympics due to mental health after one of her events. Both of these women are at the top of their sports, constantly doing interviews, and expected to be role models for younger girls, perform their best, and win. That’s a lot of weight to put on anyone’s back, superstar athletes or not. All of that pressure and expectation would make anyone need to take a moment to themselves to rest and recover. Unfortunately for both Osaka and Biles, their decisions to protect their mental health were not welcomed and supported by all.

They were accused of being lazy, liars, and poor sportswomen by several media outlets and journalists. Megyn Kelly and Piers Morgan took no time to get on their platforms and bash both women. Megyn Kelly went after Osaka instantly after the news broke that she withdrew from Wimbledon and sent out a tasteless tweet in regard to Osaka stating “She is apparently arguing that she shot her many covers b/4 publicly claiming she was too socially anxious to deal w/press. Truth is she just doesn’t like Qs she can’t control. Admit it.”  Instead of supporting and uplifting another woman, Kelly decided to do the opposite and tear down Osaka.

Piers Morgan recently went to the media to express his opinions of Simone Biles’ decision to withdraw and called it a “joke.” Piers also went on to say “Are ‘mental health issues’ now the go-to excuse for any poor performance in elite sport? What a joke,” he wrote. “Just admit you did badly, made mistakes, and will strive to do better next time. Kids need strong role models not this nonsense.” The ugly reality of both of these instances with Megyn Kelly and Piers Morgan speaking against Osaka and Biles is that this is not the first time, and there seems to be a trend of them attacking women of color, especially Black women when they take agency over their bodies, and protecting their mental health.

The sad reality is Black athletes in the Olympics have had to stand up and fight for their rights for their whole lives, whether they’re in a stadium filled with thousands of people and viewers watching on their televisions across the globe, or as they walk down the street daily as a regular person. The 2021, being that Black Athletes are still having to protest against police brutality, inequality, racism, and the many micro-aggressions that they are faced with simply because of the color of their skin. This year’s Olympics has shown once again, by portraying Black women athletes as examples of rule breakers, difficult, and defiant that more conversations and accountability need to be had concerning the racism and inequality that is pervasive in the Olympics. It is clear that drastic changes need to be made to the rules and regulations of the Olympics and the anti-doping agency, as well as holding the media and journalists accountable for their portrayals of Black athletes in the Olympics and beyond.

By: Alexandra Shuford