Male Gymnast Limited by Double Standards

Foster's Daily Democrat reports here that high school gymnast Ryan Chandler can't compete for points in state competitions because he's male, and there isn't sufficient participation in gymnastics by males to create a separate category for them. Chandler's coach Karla Underwood is quoted as saying, "I think it’s ridiculous...If it was the opposite way something would surely be done. We’ve been trying to get something done but nobody will listen." Coach Underwood also explains that while men do have some advantage in gymnastics due to their strength, women also have advantages over men in terms of flexibility and that the scale of the equipment is geared toward smaller women. Many thanks to Rams for sending this story our way.

Source: Foster's Daily Democrat [newspaper]

Title: Noble gymnast competes, but officially doesn’t count in the eyes of the MPA

Author: Mark Quirk

Date: February 5, 2002

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