Junior cyclists to replace podium girls at the Tour Down Under
Decision made by South Australian government in order to send consistent message about body image to young women
The organizers of the UCI WolrdTour event the Tour Down Under are replacing podium girls in favour of junior cyclists thanks to a push from the local government. The decison comes after the South Australian government withdrew support for the practice in order to change the image local events are sending young women Australia’s ABC News is reporting.
Podium girls have traditionally been used in pro cycling to present riders prizes and jerseys following the race but the practice has drawn criticism with calls to modernize.
“The government’s paying for grid girls at the same time we’re putting money into mental health areas to help young women who have body image problems,” said South Australia sports minister Leon Bignell about sending a consistent message about body image. The government already withdrew funding for the practice at the Clipsal 500 motorsport race.
Some women’s races have opted to use podium boys in recent years in an attempt to equalize the practice. La Course by Le Tour de France, Gent-Wevelgem and the Ladies Tour of Norway have all employed podium boys but the practice has continued to be questioned.
Peter Sagan drew criticism at the 2013 edition of the Tour of Flanders when he pinched the bottom of a hostess during the award ceremony. Sagan drew significant criticism for the action and later apologized to the podium girl in person at Brabantse Pijl.
The decision to stop using podium girls has not been praised by all in Australia. Tanya Powell, the model agency director at Ute Petersen told ABC, “I think from a spectator perspective, it adds a little bit more glamour to an event and personally, I find it sad that it’s no longer involved.”
However, the South Australia unions secretary Joe Szakacs responded saying, “What I think this does is make a very clear statement that there is a much more constructive, productive and influential role that women can and should play in delivering these events.”
The Tour Down Under begins with a women’s event that runs from Jan. 14 to 17, 2017 with the WorldTour men’s event running from Jan. 14 to 22.
