I read a Jakarta Post article the other day about a young gymnast who had been dropped from Indonesia's national team for allegedly having lost her virginity.
Of course, for an American reader this seems silly, outrageous, nearly unbelievable. Something out of the dark ages. A blast from the past.
Nonetheless, this is Indonesia, and it is the way things are.
Moreover, the story gets worse.
The gymnast, Shalfa, who is now, reportedly, suffering psychological trauma since the incident occurred and the news of her supposed 'sexual impropriety' spread, has refused to go to school. Having been involved in gymnastics since the 2nd grade, the young woman has now decided to no longer pursue a career in the sport.
At the outset of this drama, Shalma, who was known to be 'going with a boy' (horrors!), was subjected to a gynecological exam wherein it was determined that she was no longer a virgin. Shalfa, however, insisted that she had never had sexual relations, prompting her mother to seek a second exam. This exam showed indeed that Shalfa's hymen was intact. She was a virgin. These results, however, were dismissed by the gymnastics association and she was told that she would need to get yet another vaginal exam, which Shalma's mother, quite understandably, has refused.
How, you may ask, does the condition of a young woman's hymen bear on her talents in gymnastics?
How indeed?
Shalma has received 49 medals in various gymnastics tournaments, both at the regional and national level, including a gold medal.
Indonesia has achieved something else again in the category of sappy mediocrity.
Of course, for an American reader this seems silly, outrageous, nearly unbelievable. Something out of the dark ages. A blast from the past.
Nonetheless, this is Indonesia, and it is the way things are.
Moreover, the story gets worse.
The gymnast, Shalfa, who is now, reportedly, suffering psychological trauma since the incident occurred and the news of her supposed 'sexual impropriety' spread, has refused to go to school. Having been involved in gymnastics since the 2nd grade, the young woman has now decided to no longer pursue a career in the sport.
At the outset of this drama, Shalma, who was known to be 'going with a boy' (horrors!), was subjected to a gynecological exam wherein it was determined that she was no longer a virgin. Shalfa, however, insisted that she had never had sexual relations, prompting her mother to seek a second exam. This exam showed indeed that Shalfa's hymen was intact. She was a virgin. These results, however, were dismissed by the gymnastics association and she was told that she would need to get yet another vaginal exam, which Shalma's mother, quite understandably, has refused.
How, you may ask, does the condition of a young woman's hymen bear on her talents in gymnastics?
How indeed?
Shalma has received 49 medals in various gymnastics tournaments, both at the regional and national level, including a gold medal.
Indonesia has achieved something else again in the category of sappy mediocrity.
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