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International | Society

Are women better ultra-endurance athletes than men?

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Through thunderstorms, scorching heat and icy rain, Fiona Kolbinger cycled 2,485 miles (3,999km) in a little more than 10 days over some of Europe's most demanding terrain. In doing so, the German cyclist became the first woman to win the Transcontinental Race this week. That in itself was remarkable: it was the first time she had formally competed in an ultra-cycling event. But what was all the more remarkable was the fact she finished the brutal journey from Bulgaria to France a full 10 hours ahead of her closest opponent. "I am so, so surprised to win," she said. "When I was coming i
Asia | China | Business

Alipay is investing $145 million to grow women’s soccer in China

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China's national women's soccer team just got a big boost from online payments app Alipay. The Alibaba-affiliated company is taking the lead on a 1 billion yuan ($145 million) commitment to support Chinese women's soccer over the next decade. The foundations of Alibaba (BABA)co-founder Jack Ma and executive vice chairman Joe Tsai are also taking part in the pledge. It is the biggest investment in women's soccer in China ever, according to Alipay. Alipay wants to bring "technology, funds and resources to better support the development of women's soccer in China," a spokesman for
North America | United States | Sports

An 11-year-old golfer qualifies for U.S. Women’s Amateur, becomes third-youngest qualifier in history

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When over 100 women tee it up later this year at the U.S. Women's Amateur at Old Waverly Golf Club in Mississippi, a child will be among them. That's because 11-year-old (!) Gianna Clemente made it into the field, and in doing so, became the third-youngest golfer to qualify for the event. After going out in 38 on her first nine earlier this week in the qualifier, Clemente dropped a bogey-free 33 on the back to get in. She clipped two other participants by a single stroke each. That's incredible. "I turned at 2 over, and I knew I had to step it up if I wanted to even finish well," she to
North America | United States | Sports

United States beats the Netherlands 2-0 to win its fourth Women’s World Cup title

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Megan Rapinoe stood on the field, arms outstretched, striking her now trademark victory pose symbolizing the confidence of a U.S. team that celebrated and savored each triumph at the Women’s World Cup. Rapinoe won the Golden Ball as top player and the Golden Boot as top scorer, and the United States backed up its brashness by winning while simultaneously making a strong statement for gender equity. “We’ve done exactly what we set out to do, done exactly what we wanted to do, said what we feel,” Rapinoe said. “All of us, really. I know sometimes my voice is louder, but everybody
South Asia | Australia | Sports

Australia celebrates ‘greatest day’ in women’s sport

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It has been described by many as the greatest day in Australian women's sporting history. Australians woke up on Monday to a cascade of achievements from the nation's female athletes in tennis, golf, surfing and rowing. First, surfer Sally Fitzgibbons cut a monster wave at the Rio Pro to cruise to the world number one ranking in surfing. A few hours later, French Open tennis champion Ashleigh Barty won her third tournament of the year - meaning she will become Australia's first world number one in 16 years. Celebratory news bulletins in the morning were interrupted by more milestones.
North America | United States | Sports

103-year-old sprinter Julia “Hurricane” Hawkins sets records on the track with every race

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Julia "Hurricane" Hawkins is the oldest woman ever to compete on an American track. And if this week's National Senior Games are any indication, the 103-year-old sprinter isn't slowing down any time soon. Hawkins won gold in the 100-meter dash at on Tuesday with a time of 46.07 seconds — falling six seconds shy of her own over-100 world record but beating the second place finisher at the Games, 91-year-old Julia Manigo, by a full second. The Louisiana resident also ran the 50-meter dash Monday and finished in 21.05 seconds.
North America | United States | History

The 1999 U.S. women’s national team: Instant icons, lasting legends

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Twenty years ago, Brandi Chastain's penalty kick rippled the back of the net and changed the world. Chastain's memorable jersey celebration to mark the U.S.'s victory over China in front of a record crowd for a global women's sporting event has become as iconic as the '99 World Cup finale itself. Riding momentum from the tournament, members of the USWNT logged a number of firsts: They established the first professional women's soccer league, negotiated the first collective bargaining agreement, made soccer a viable career for women. We spoke to 18 players from that historic squad. For them,
Latin America | Argentina | Society

How Argentina’s women took on blatant sexism to reach the World Cup

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Argentina had just drawn 0-0 against Japan at Parc des Princes in Paris on Monday, yet the players collapsed in joy as if celebrating an epic victory. For the casual viewer it must have seemed an exaggerated celebration but for anyone familiar with what the Argentinian players have gone through it was completely understandable. Going back just one year, it was unclear if the team would be able to travel to France at all. Unlike the regional power that is Brazil, who can count on regular training camps and tournaments, the Argentinian women’s team has been shockingly neglected by its fede
Europe | Scotland | History

Dale Greig, Early Women’s Marathoner, Is Dead at 82

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Dale Greig had been a champion cross-country runner in Scotland when she decided to run the Isle of Wight Marathon in 1964. It was a bold decision. Not only was it her first marathon; she was also entering what had been an exclusively male preserve. Women were all but excluded from running the 26-mile 385-yard race because the track authorities believed that they were too weak to endure it. There would be no women’s Olympic marathon until 1984. Race organizers on the Isle of Wight were sympathetic enough to let Greig (pronounced GREG) run. But they required her to start four minutes bef
International | Sports

Women’s Jiu-Jitsu Continues To Grow At 2019 IBJJF World Championships

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This year is the 21st anniversary of women competing at the IBJJF World Championships. Women made their debut at “Mundials” in 1998, two years after the first tournament was held for men. Two decades later many of the most dominant competitors and strongest female teams that we see represented at Worlds are still influenced by– or even led by– the women who pioneered a way for female competitors to flourish in the sport.
North America | United States | Sports

Visa Makes ‘Substantial Investment’ To Support Women’s Soccer

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Visa has announced a “substantial investment” in the future of women’s soccer, including a five-year partnership with the U.S. Soccer Federation. Eight days before the Women’s World Cup begins in France, Visa revealed it would partner with both the Women’s and Men’s U.S. National Teams. However, it said the terms of the deal ensured “at least 50%” of the investment would fund the USWNT and women’s soccer programs and surrounding marketing efforts.
Latin America | Argentina | Sports

INSIDE #FUTBOLFEMENINO: ARGENTINA’S NEXT BATTLEFRONT FOR WOMEN’S RIGHTS

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The crowd roared for the players on the confetti-strewn field in the shadow of one of Argentina’s most legendary soccer stadiums. They had come to see soccer archrivals Boca Juniors and River Plate battle it out in a match of the women’s first division. Such fanfare for a soccer match on a May afternoon might not seem notable in the land of Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona, but for a society that has long considered its prized sport a man’s game, it signals an important shift for fútbol femenino, or women's soccer. After decades of being mocked, ridiculed, and ignored, fútbol feme
Middle East | Iran | Culture

An Iranian Boxer Won Her First Official Match. Now She Says She Can’t Go Back Home.

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Sadaf Khadem, the first Iranian woman to compete in an official boxing match, won't return home to Iran after learning about an arrest warrant issued against her coach, she announced Wednesday. Khadem was in the western French town of Royan for the fight against boxer Anne Chauvin on Saturday. She won the fight while decked out in a green tank top and red shorts with a white waistband, matching the Iranian flag. Her head was also uncovered while she traded blows, all of which are against Iran's mandatory dress code for women.
Latin America | Argentina | Sports

Argentina announces professionalization of women’s soccer

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Argentina's soccer association announced Saturday that the national women's league will be granted professional status, marking a milestone in a country that is home to Lionel Messi and some of the world's greatest players but still views soccer as largely a men's game. At a press conference on the outskirts of the capital of Buenos Aires, the association said that each of the 16 clubs of the women's top division must now have at least eight professional contracts with female players. The contracts must also mirror those of the professional men's league.

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