Along the lines of Tennis sensations Maria Sharapova and Anna Kournikova, comes another athlete that the press (mainly male bloggers) want to turn into a sex symbol. Except, this girl is not embracing it. Here is some excerpts from a May 29th article that featured Stokke on the front page of the Washington Post..."In her high school track and field career, Stokke had won a 2004 California state pole vaulting title, broken five national records and earned a scholarship to the University of California, yet only track devotees had noticed. Then, in early May, she received e-mails from friends who warned that a year-old picture of Stokke idly adjusting her hair at a track meet in New York had been plastered across the Internet. She had more than 1,000 new messages on her MySpace page. A three-minute video of Stokke standing against a wall and analyzing her performance at another meet had been posted on YouTube and viewed 150,000 times."
"Allison Stokke doesn't like the internet attention she's had
Stokke read on message boards that dozens of anonymous strangers had turned her picture into the background image on their computers. She felt violated. It was like becoming the victim of a crime, Stokke said."
The blog "With Leather" is mostly associated with turning her into a superstar "sexy athelte" while still in HIGH SCHOOL (she was 18 though). Here is a statement that they made...from
"How would I feel if it were my daughter that got this unwanted attention? Well, I don't know. I'd like to think I'd feel fortunate that my daughter was a record-breaking athlete and honors student with no physical or mental deformities. It's 2007, people: time to realize that attractive women athletes will always be recognized and -- yes, sometimes -- obsessed over. Is it right or wrong? I don't know. But it's reality."
My take on it is two fold. Since this started while she was in high school I can understand her dismay and slight fear as to the attention that she's getting. Her track meets are surrounded by photographers and fans that want to see her in "uniform". It's something that most athletes, besides cheerleaders don't have to deal with. She shouldn't have to deal with the celebrity "circus" while actively pursuing an academic and athletic career.
On the flip side, pole vaulting doesn't normally get any attention. Also, I haven't heard of too many professional pole vaulters getting any media press outside of the Olympics. So in the latter stages of her career, this "attraction" that the audience has for her will help her bank account$$. She's almost as marketable as Candice Parker and I hope that someone in her camp recognizes that. Not to put the pressure on her now, but for her financial interests later.
But who am I, maybe that's not what she wants at all. I don't know her, and her rise to stardom just shows how much free time people have. All the best in life, and track.
To show a little of what's being said, here is a comment on the "With Leather" blog."I would also like to straighten out a few things about Allison Stokke:
1. I'd hit it.
2. I would like to hit it.
3. I certainly would like to partake in some Stokkey Pokey (and turn myself around/THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT!)
4. No, I mean it. I would break it off in that and never look back.
5. What's a pole vault?"
So what do you think????
Mr. Talented
