Brandi Chastain Revealed Very Little, in Fact

The article “Baring It All” (May 30), reprinted from the Baltimore Sun, was an interesting examination of the popularity of female breast-baring at public events. I am one of those who is uncomfortable with this fad, but I think the selection of that tired Brandi Chastain shirt-waving photo showed very poor editorial judgment. I’d like the media to give some thought as to how many eyebrows really were raised when champion athlete Chastain did this time-honored victory dance.

She removed her shirt to reveal not her naked breasts, but a garment that is now the customary--and often the only--upper garment worn in many women’s sports, including most track and field events, endurance sports such as marathon and triathlon, and beach volleyball. What she did reveal was her navel, and for this sort of titillation, you need only visit a public pool or beach, or step out onto any street in the summertime.

What Chastain did is not the same as riding topless on men’s shoulders while getting sprayed with beer, or even posing bare-breasted in front of the Lincoln Memorial with the rest of the rugby team. If she were a male soccer player, no one would have said a word, and we certainly saw no more of her body. Shame on you for perpetuating this double standard.

--ELIZABETH COOMBS

Culver City