I've often wondered why they haven't updated this in figure skating, but then I think it would seem a bit funny to call all those tiny little 15-and 16-year-old jumping beans "women". Somehow "ladies" just doesn't seem quite as ridiculous, like it can apply to the "young ladies" as well as the ones in their 20s. It always sounds a bit off to me to hear those itty-bitty little gymnasts like Shawn Johnson called "women".
In the sports world, only race car drivers are "gentlemen," as in "gentlemen, start your engines!"
When the first lady driver participated in the Indianapolis 500 there was a big controversy about whether the announcer should use this traditional phrase or whether he should say, "ladies and gentlemen."
The compromise was: "In company with the first lady ever to qualify at Indianapolis, gentlemen, start your engines."
some day we'll be forced to do away with gender roles entirely. I'll enjoy the ladies event while it lasts *sigh*
Just out of curiosity, why "ladies" not "women" like gymnastics. Why "men" but not "gentlemen" like "ladies."
Had they ever called "men" as "gentlemen" in the FS history?