I am not a feminist and am not usually much offended when men tease women by saying they lack comparative athletic ability. Most of the time these men, when pressed, will acknowledge a sincere respect for the great achievements of so many female athletes. However, Michael Kilian`s Dec. 3 column was truly derogatory and insulting to female athletes, and I am astonished that such a well-known and widely-read columnist could write and publish it.
To say that Jan Stephenson can ”putt all day” and that when Pam Shriver ”actually hits the ball it`s a distraction” is ludicrous. And his insulting of Mary Decker for being upset when she was tripped in an Olympic race is almost as immature as his saying it is ”va-va voom!” when she does run.
I even felt offended for men when he said that men who watch football aren`t real men, and if they get a ”charge” out of ”all that masculine grappling and grunting” they obviously are afflicted with ”deep
psychological problems.” If this is an attempt at humor, Mr. Kilian, it falls very flat. Women have come too far, in athletics and every field, to warrant this type of essay.
