Zhou Lulu is a female weightlifter weighing in at 290 pounds (132 kilograms), which would categorize her as obese for a female of her height. However, Lulu is one of the strongest women on earth, setting the world record by lifting a total of 734 pounds (333 kilograms) and winning gold for China at the 2012 Summer Olympics. In an interview, Lulu denounced the stereotype against women lifting weights.
“When you like something, you don’t think if it’s bad for your body shape or not feminine,” Zhou said. “I just do what I like.”
Lulu’s spirit shows a similar resemblance to the claims that the 2012 Olympics were the ‘Women’s Games’, a belief that the purpose of including additional women’s sports would encourage more females to pursue athletic activities. However, the opinions of several members of society refuse to budge.
British weightlifter Zoe Smith was faced with comments as well through her Twitter claiming that weightlifting is “unfeminine” and that “girl’s shouldn’t be strong or have muscles, this is wrong.” Smith expressed her disapproval of this attitude, rebutting the “chauvinistic, pigheaded blokes.”
“We don’t lift weights in order to look hot, especially for the likes of men for that,” Smith said on her blog. “We prefer our men to be confident enough in themselves to not feel emasculated.”
Smith’s response was met with more sexist remarks including “Back to the kitchen and make your boyfriend a sandwich” as well as “I’d think you was a bloke and so would 9 out of 10 lads.”
Smith anticipates that although her words may have failed to change these mindsets, her performance will speak louder.
“What are you doing with your life?” Smith said. “I’ve just competed at the Olympics!”
