Fiery debate erupts over news reporters’ risqué outfit choice
<p>A fiery debate has erupted over a Belgian journalist and a former pro cyclist, when he made a crude comment towards a young female reporter’s clothing choice while covering the Vuelta a San Juan in Argentina.</p>
<p>Former pro cyclist Sven Spoormakers referred to the reporter’s low-cut top after taking a screenshot of her interviewing one of the riders for television, asking in Dutch: “Is it cool in Argentina?”</p>
<p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.4992025518341px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7834244/firestorm-over-clothing-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/ab48e546884b4172810c54d2768d4cef" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>The young female reporter was working on the Vuelta a San Juan in Argentina.</em></p>
<p>The response was bitter and fiery after numerous fans and pundits condemned him for allegedly sexually objectifying the young reporter.</p>
<p>Australian journalist Sophie Smith criticised Spoormakers on his remark, writing: “Seriously? Please tell me this is lost in translation and you did not just publicly objectify a young female reporter.</p>
<p>“Speaking from experience, let me say she does the exact same job as you but has to work and withstand twice as much still because of bulls*** like this.”</p>
<p>Spoormakers refused to back down from his controversial statement, however and shot back a fiery response: “Objectify, really? Come on. Don’t draw the feminist card on this one. She knows exactly what she’s wearing – or not wearing – and why.</p>
<p>“If I would interview a female athlete with my balls out, you’d be joking about it too. Or calling it a disgrace.”</p>
<p>Smith then incredulously hit back: “So it’s her fault because you can’t stop looking at her boobs?</p>
<p><em><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7834246/sven-spoormakers.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/34fbcdb2baf04d798507de56f5fc2288" /><br /></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Sven Spoormakers competing in the Amstel Curacao Race 2010.</em></p>
<p>“What’s she meant to do, wear a potato sack so you don’t get excited?</p>
<p>“If I take a picture of you at work, post it and comment on how small your d**k looks in a pair of shorts would you be all right with that?”</p>
<p>British reporter Ned Boulting added his opinion to the conversation to lend his support, quoting one of Smith’s tweets and writing: “Over and over and over again, my female colleagues have to defend themselves from institutional disrespect.</p>
<p>“I take your voice, Sophie, and I add mine.”</p>
<p>Spoormakers’ tweets were also taken by upset fans, with one writing: “Mate, she’s wearing a top. That’s it. What’s the problem? Jesus Christ you’re a dinosaur.”</p>
<p>Another added: “She isn’t exposed in any way Sven. You commented inappropriately as if her body is available for you to simply discuss. That’s objectifying her. Not cool.”</p>
<p>While another person on social media added: “Absolutely frustrating. @SvenSpoormakers your comment is inappropriate.</p>
<p>“We are more than the clothes we wear. If you can’t understand why your comment is inappropriate I suggest getting some training around sexism.”</p>
