I agree that the comments on the female gymnasts' appearance are uncalled for - unfortunately, I think it's more the public that they are appealing to though than announcers being creepy. Americans always want to make the smaller gymnast girls national sweethearts or whatever you want to call it - I remember it with Mary Lou, Karrie Strug, Dominique M. and even Shawn Johnson - heck, I remember the media talking up how cute and adorable and destined to win Shawn was during the 2008 Olympics that there was set of people who were actually angry at Nastia for beating her. Looks like they are trying to make Laurie into one of those cute little girls that everyone adores, etc. cause that gets them ratings and sells posters. so that's what the comment was about. I think Ragan Smith and the crap w/ the beads is a similar thing - the general public (not us on this board, but the regular people who don't know anything about gym/cheer) would just love seeing this little girl (even though she really isn't a little girl, but she looks like one so heck, they'll go with it) rock the Olympics - they could even sell bead necklaces as a merchandising gimmick after she wins the beam medal. Eye roll.
Totally true that they'd NEVER do this stuff w/ a male athlete. Men are rarely judged on their appearance in athletics - it's a huge double standard and always has been. However, I do think things are getting a little better than they used to be when it comes to this stuff compared to say a generation ago.