Women's Bodybuilding Is Back In The Tampa Pro

 

It was announced that women's bodybuilding was being omitted from the Tampa pro. Fans were vexed and disappointed. Through the efforts of Jake Wood and Alina Popa it was added back to the contest. The IFBB appears to want to sabotage the division's growth. The Tampa pro takes place between July 31 to August 2. Athletes can now look forward to competing. This could have caused complications for some who do meticulous preparation. Travel, hotel accommodations, and other expenses are taken into consideration for athletes. Athletes  who changed there plans when cancellation was announced are in a more frustrating position. There still remains time to change plans. The Tampa pro is three months away. The unprofessional conduct directed at athletes should not be tolerated. Removing women's bodybuilding should not have happened to begin with. Women's bodybuilding has an improved status with the return of the Ms. Olympia. Other cases it seems more precarious. Alina Popa no longer competes, but has made a name for herself as a promoter. Popa should be thanked by all women competing in the Tampa pro. More promoters should make it possible that the women's open class bodybuilding class remains active.     

Dana Shemesh Is Coming Out Of Retirement

 

Dana Shemesh is coming out of retirement. The most notable Israeli bodybuilder will step on stage again, which she confirmed on her Twitter page. Dana will be heading to Romania to compete in the Olympia Masters. The contest will be held August 26th. Dana announced that she was retired from competition in 2020. Two years she was away, but did not stop training. Dana Shemesh will be the first Israeli woman to compete in the Olympia Masters. The reason she returned was due to her love of the sport. Dana has been active in bodybuilding and fitness since 2010. To her this is an pure enjoyment. Maybe the retirement in 2020 was not an actual one. It was more of a brief hiatus. Competitors going into retirement and then reappearing is not a rare occurrence. Lenda Murray returned to competition in 2002 and won another Ms. Olympia in 2003. Another incentive to return is the prize money. Winners can get up to $229,000. Dana Shemesh did not say that was a major motivator to return. The possibility of getting that reward could be athletes that push to get back on stage. So far, Dana Shemesh has not revealed much about her strategy for competition. Seeing as her experience is vast getting back on stage should be easy. Dana Shemesh has competed in fitness, physique, and bodybuilding. She never really retired in a sense, rather took a two year break.   

Tori Bowie Has Passed Away

 

Tori Bowie a three time Olympic gold medalist was found dead in her home. This comes as a major shock to the sport. The cause of death is not known. Bowie was only 32 years of age. Little information has been given about what her health condition was. Law enforcement claims no evidence of murder has been found. Suicide could not be an answer. No note was left or implication was given.  Friends, family, and fellow athletes have been mourning the loss of  at talented track and field competitor. Born in 1990, her athletic career began in high school. She won school championships and during her 20s made an incredible rise. The 2016 Rio Olympics she was able to win a silver, bronze, and gold medal. The 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, and the 400 rely were the events she excelled. More rumors surrounding her death continue to circulate. Nothing is certain until a thorough investigation is conducted. The findings might not become public, depending on her family's wishes. Track and field will not be the same without her.   

The Rise of The Green Falcons

 

Women's soccer in Saudi Arabia is taking the spotlight. The Green Falcons are the women's national soccer team of the KSA. The team was launched in October of 2021 and demonstrates a major cultural shift. Women are now taking part in more activities that were not available to them before. Women's participation in sports was low and part of the Vision 2030 program was to get women more active. The goal also wants to seeing more international sports competition. The Green Falcons have played against Seychelles, Maldives, and Bhutan. With enough effort, the Green Falcons could at some point reach the Women's World Cup. Their progress in such a short time demonstrates the importance of investment and government programs. According to the Khaleej Times women's sports participation rose to 150% in the last four years. The data also claims 195,000 girls are playing sports. The demographic was between 5 to 15 and showed they were doing this on a weekly basis. Construction of training facilities are underway and plans for developing more talent. Women are gaining more freedom, but it should not be limited to one section of society. Other occupations should be given as much attention for women's advancement. Women need to have more administrative positions in the Saudi Arabian  Football Federation. As long as the Green Falcons maintain quality coaching and win more games their future is bright. Saudi women might begin to compete in other sports besides soccer. 

Kelsie Whitmore's Advance In Professional Baseball

 

Kelsie Whitmore became the first woman to sign on to a professional baseball team affiliated with Major League Baseball. She was also the first woman to be in the starting lineup for an Atlantic Club. Whitmore has been playing the game since she was a child. Her professional baseball career started when she was 18. Kelsie Whitmore has played for independent teams such as the Sonoma Stompers and the Portland Pickles. She was also played for the USA Women's National Baseball Team. Kelsie Whitmore has the desire to compete at the highest levels. She revealed this in her statements to the press. However, so far there have not been any women who have competed in Major League Baseball. Baseball is not a contact sport, which means women might have a better shot at getting into MLB compared to the NFL. Whitmore stated she wants to make baseball her career. MLB could be her goal if that is her true intention. The future cannot be predicted, but Kelsie Whitmore is gradually making her mark on the sport. 

Brittney Griner Remains Detained In Russia

 

WNBA  athlete Brittney Griner remains under arrest in Russia. Allegedly she was arrested for having cannabis oil in her luggage. It is unclear if there is an attempt to charge Griner with drug trafficking. This has occurred at a critical time.  The Russia-Ukraine conflict is still active and US-Russia relations are at their lowest point. If convicted the prison term could be up to ten years. The WNBA has voiced support for Brittney Griner's release. This was also followed by more support from the athlete's association WNBPA.  The growing concern is about Griner's conditions and health in confinement. The general lack of action from the Biden administration shows that there is little concern. Even Secretary of State  Anthony Blinken did not make a specific statement about Griner. He only mentioned while in Moldova that the US is ready to assist any of its citizens around the world. Apparently, some have more priority over others. Russia could release her as a good will gesture. That might help get diplomatic relations to a state of normalcy. Griner's teammates, friends, and family wish for her safe return. 

Details of The Anges Tirop Murder

 

Anges Tirop a successful Olympic runner was murdered. She was found stabbed. Anges was discovered unresponsive in her home . Tirop's  body was in her bed and a wound on her neck. This did not appear to be a burglary or a random act of home invasion.   Kenyan police have named a suspect. The culprit they believe was her husband. Emmanuel Rotich is wanted by authorities. This exposes a real problem women face globally. Domestic violence has become a part of women's daily lives. This is more than just physical or verbal abuse. This can escalate into murder. Emmanuel Rotich called her parents saying he had done something wrong. That gave the police a clue that he might have committed this crime. The case has yet to be solved, but evidence points to Anges Tirop's husband or a person she knew. Only 25 years old, Anges had a bright future ahead of her. Anges Tirop's death is a huge loss to the sport. 

Andrea Shaw Is Competing To Retain Her Ms. Olympia Crown

 

Andrea Shaw is coming back to the Ms.  Olympia stage. Her performance in the 2020 Ms. Olympia  dazzled fans. Andrea started off as a physique competitor, but outgrew that class. The switch paid off with an incredible rise that started in 2008. Winning the Ms. Olympia is a challenge with so much formidable competition. Margie Martin, Helle Trevino, and Mona Poursaleh are some athletes to look out for. Iris Kyle appears like she will not be competing. The unfortunate part is that fans will not be able to see a pose down between Iris and Andrea. Iris appears to be doing a Cory Everson. Win multiple Olympia contests and then retire. A new era of athletes are emerging. Andrea Shaw seems to be following in the tradition of athletes with a long reign. She has the potential to either reach either Lenda Murray's or Iris Kyle's record. Although the Ms. Olympia was gone, it has made a stunning comeback. the revival demonstrates that the women can be marketable and there is a fan base out there. Like the athletes before her, Andrea Shaw is a great representation of the sport. It would not be a surprise to see the 2020s be the era of Andrea Shaw.   

Women Cyclists Are Competing in The Paris Roubaix

 

New opportunities have open to competitive female cyclists. A sports milestone has been made with women being competitors for the first time. The cycling race has been around 1896. That is a total of 125 years with no women's division in existence. The race track is know for its treacherous terrain. The race held on the French town of Roubaix is known for being muddy and having cobbled farm tracks. The race can be very physically demanding. The cyclists will be going on 160 km course. Strength is not the only factor to success, however. Skill is required to handle changes in conditions. Seeing as this is the first women's competition, who could win remains a mystery. The addition of the women's Paris Roubaix demonstrates there is a rise in women's sports competition. The next few decades will most likely see more women competing in various sports. Progress may be slow, but there is not shortage of sports talent among women. The Paris Roubaix will take place on Sunday. Previously, there were plans to have the race take place in 2020, but was postponed due to Covid-19 concerns. 

The Afghan Women's Soccer Team Has Been Evacuated

 

After 20 years, the Taliban has returned to power. The invasion was justified by the US-NATO force as a mission to stop terrorism and dismantle Al-Qaeda. The myth was that the US and its allies were winning. The fall of the government is no shock to observers who monitored the conditions of the country. Women's sports did get a boost without the Taliban's restrictive laws . The Afghan women's soccer team was at least one of the few positive developments in Afghanistan. The athletes have been evacuated to Italy and Australia. Afghan women will have to seek sports opportunities elsewhere. This only harms the country seeing as its sports talent will flee. The return of the theocratic regime means more restrictions on basic rights of citizens. Women will be effected the worst, seeing as the more religious a society there is less concern about women's rights. While the escape was successful, the life of a refugee is not easy. The 9/11 attacks induced a wave of anti-Muslim sentiment. The war in Afghanistan and Iraq made exacerbated it further. Women's sports in Afghanistan are about to be non-existent under a new Taliban regime.  

Sha 'Carri Richardson Banned From The Olympics Due To Marijuana Use

 

Sha "Carri Richardson will be missing the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She tested positive for marijuana. The ban demonstrates a real problem with drug policy. Marijuana is not a performance enhancing drug. Taking it would effect concentration and focus before competition. This does not make an athlete run faster or become stronger. The only reason this substance is banned is because of a dated War on Drugs policy. That was never meant to protect public health, rather fund a prison industrial complex. Other athletes may have taken drugs that do enhance their performance, but have not been detected. The use of marijuana is not a serious offense. A sports organization does have a right to ban a substance, but the only condition should be that it provides an unfair advantage. Science proves that marijuana does not increase aerobic capacity, strength, endurance, or speed. Nor is it deleterious to health. The US just lost a chance at gold medals over a drug policy that should not exist. Sha' Carri Richardson stated that she takes responsibility and understood the rules. She should not apologize for anything, because the rules in this case are distorted. Richardson's  ordeal is more proof that it is time to legalize marijuana across the United States.

Michelle Wie Returns To Golf

 

Wrist injuries and starting a family made Michelle Wie consider retiring. The truth is no one really can retire from a sport they love. Wie has returned to golf. Sometimes a period of rest to recharge is the best for some athletes. The demands of competition become intense and injuries can be debilitating. Her wrist had to be surgically repaired. The wonderful news is that the surgery did not effect her golf swing. Wie has been away from golf since 2018. More good news has come with Wie joining the LPGA board. Her goals are to get more Asian, African, and Latino women involved in golf. Her intent also is to promote women's sport more through media. Michelle Wie's win at the US Women's Open shows that she still is a formidable athlete in the sport. Being absent for a certain period time does make it difficult to acclimate to a sports competition environment. 

Naomi Osaka Withdraws From The French Open

 

Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the French Open. This comes after the dispute with her avoiding press conferences. The young athlete stated that she was experiencing anxiety and depression. Faced with a fine and possible suspension, this brings into question why there are media obligations for athletes. Osaka has made a statement that she will be taking some time away from tennis. Being a competitive athlete can cause intense pressure on an individual. Naomi Osaka also expressed doing press conferences made her nervous. The WTA claims they are investing in mental health resources for athletes. Apparently, it falls short. Osaka also faces a $15,000 fine for appearing in a post game press conference. Maybe the fine  could be challenged  in court. A very talented athlete is facing some mental health challenges. It is not certain when she will return to professional tennis. Her struggle reveals that even when a person is  successful, depression can still happen. Osaka expressed that she wanted to have a conversation with WTA officials about how best to improve the conditions for athletes. 

The Women's Tour de France Has Been Confirmed For 2022

 

Women will have another opportunity for sports competition. Women can compete in their own Tour de France in 2022. The announcement was made by Christian Prudhomme. As director of the Tour de France he stated that it will follow the men's race, but exact dates have not been confirmed. The official name of the competition for women will be called Tour de France Femmes. There are other cycling competitions for women. La Course by Le Tour de France is an Amaury Sport Organization event. Women have been working to get an equal platform in professional cycling. This is not the first time an female division came into existence. Between 1984 to 1989 the Tour de France Feminin   was held. The contest was held at various times and under different names, but was sporadic. Now there will be a cycling competition for women held on a consistent and regular schedule . Assuming that complications from the pandemic do not cause problems, the competition is happening. This is positive news for women's sports. The challenge now is investment and  promotion. Previous races failed, because they were not given the financial backing and advertisement required to survive. There is no shortage of  athletes with talent. La Course by Le Tour de France will still be held so athletes have options in which race they want to compete in. Despite Prudhomme's questionable comments about women's  cycling, he made the right decision. Female cyclists now have a stage to show their skills. 

Sarah Fuller Is Retiring From Football

 

Sarah Fuller made sports news as the first woman to score in a Power 5 college football game. It has been reported that she is now retiring from football. Fuller is going back to her main sport of soccer. She will enroll in North Texas to play. The unfortunate part about this news is that the Vanderbilt-Georgia game was cancelled due to concerns about COVID-19. Fuller's football career was playing as a kicker for the Commodores. There is no indication that she will return to football, because soccer is her passion. Fuller's football first generated much conversation in the sports world. The more conservative leaning commentators called this a social justice warrior stunt. The liberal faction praised it as being heroic. This was just a woman playing football, not another front in American culture wars. As for it being monumentally historic, it should not be forgotten other women were pioneers in football. Katie Hnida and April Goss were playing on football teams longer than Fuller. Maybe the media just need a feel good story in light of constant crisis and political corruption. Before these 21st century pioneers in football there was Patricia Palinkas. Hopefully society can advance enough to a point whenever a woman accomplishes something it is not a historic feat, rather just normal business. The positive aspect is that some girls have a role model in a sport largely male dominated. 

The Ms. Olympia Set For December 17,2020

 

The Ms. Olympia has been rescheduled. Originally, it was going  take place in September. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, sporting events had to be adjusted to ensure  athlete and fan safety. Other IFBB and NPC contests have taken place with little incident. As long as basic public health measures are taken, the Ms. Olympia will be fine. This will be an interesting competition. Iris Kyle seeks another win, which would be a possible 11th. The Ms. Olympia has been absent since 2014 and hardcore female bodybuilding fans anxiously await seeing familiar faces and new competitors. Yaxeni Oriquen  also intends to return to stage, after a brief hiatus starting in 2017. Alina Popa will not be on stage, due to promotional work for the sport. It would not be a surprise if she returns next year. Critics claimed that female bodybuilding was dead, yet there is a revival. The internet and social media has allowed greater exposure enabling a growing fan base. While the sport may never be mainstream, it has enough fans for it to sustain itself. The efforts of Jake Wood and the Wings of Strength Rising Phoenix kept the sport going between 2014 to 2020. It appears that the Ms. Olympia will be here to stay and it should have never been discontinued. There is a bright future for the sport and what could be happening now is a type of renaissance. The competitors that qualify for competition include Margie Martin, Irene Anderson,  Monique Jones, Andrea Shaw, Helle Trevino, LaDawn McDay, Mayla Ash, and Nicki Chartrand, 

The Washington Redskins May Change Their Name

The Washington Redskins may be changing their name. For years a number of Native American organizations have been protesting the name. With racial tensions getting worse in America, it seems that renaming the football team could happen. It will take some time to change signs and merchandise. The fans will most likely be divided over the name change. The term has racist connotations. Redskin was a word used to dehumanize the American Indian. The United States has a long history of Indian removal, genocide, and confinement to reservations. When the Indian Wars drew to a close, there was an effort to eliminate Native American history and culture. This involved sending children to boarding schools as a means of "civilizing" them. Injustices still continue with high levels of poverty on reservations and discrimination. The Redskins have a history of being resistant to integrating African American players into their team. George Preston Marshall the founder of the Redskins refused to have the football team accept African American players. Only when pressured in 1962 by the federal government did he sign on an African American athlete. The football team was founded in 1932 and originally called the Boston Braves. This would not be the first time the name has changed. The name should be changed to overcome the legacy of racism, however that should not be the only reform. 

COVID-19 Infection Rate Has Increased In The US

When states reopened the infection rate increased. The trend seems to be occurring in the south and mid-west. The reason for this has to do with limited social distancing and refusal to wear masks. There is a political motivation. The pandemic response has become so polarized that the government cannot develop a coherent response. Anti-lockdown protests were done not in response to economic strain, rather instigated by right-wing political organizations. The conservative rejection of science has put public health in a state of crisis. The failure of the Republican and Democratic Party to establish a system of universal basic income to halt the economic consequences has only caused more hardship on the American citizen. There are fears of second wave emerging and if nothing is done it could be more devastating than the first wave of cases. An estimated 100,000 Americans have died due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The deaths could have been prevented if enough masks and ventilators were available. The healthcare system of the United States is on the verge of possible collapse and the pandemic exposed its vulnerabilities. If there are too many hospitalizations, the system will be overwhelmed. The Trump administration's refusal to take the pandemic seriously put the public at risk. The media also assisted in downplaying the dangers of COVID-19. Fox News insisted that it was nothing more than nervous panic in the first months of 2020. States may now have to think about closing again seeing as the proper measures were not taken before reopening.  What people must understand is just because the economy is reopening it does not mean the pandemic is over. The basic rules for safety still apply. Stay home if you are sick, wash your hands, wear a mask, and practice social distancing. 

Greg Glassman's George Floyd Comments and CrossFit

Greg Glassman has resigned as CEO of CrossFit after racially charged comments regarding the murder of George Floyd. Racism and prejudice are so pervasive in society, that even a sporting activity can to be free from it. The comments were expressed during a call with gym owners. Many were asking why a statement was not made about the murder, which has sparked large demonstrations around the USA. Police violence and racial profiling have become more vicious over the past decades in American law enforcement. Glassman stated " why should I mourn him?" when speaking with affiliate gym owners. He further claimed that Floyd 's murder was not about race and that it was a cover-up to hide money laundering. This is nothing more than an unproven conspiracy theory. Reading these comments it seems obvious what side of the political spectrum Greg Glassman is on. Other companies make statements, however they seem hollow if they are not devoted to improving human resources or diversifying their workforce. Politics has unfortunately spilled into every area of life, so avoiding controversial topics is inevitable. Gyms have been dropping CrossFit affiliations since his tweets and Glassman denies that he hold racist sentiment.His criticism of Black Lives Matter and George Floyd are not the only racially charged statements he made. Greg Glassman also said that COVID-19 was created in a Wuhan lab. The racist conspiracy theory was been expressed by President Donald Trump. More fall out from his tweets has occurred with gyms ending partnerships. CrossFit may see financial struggles due to its former CEO's racial bias.  

Coronavirus May Effect the 2020 Olympics

There has been a coronavirus outbreak that spread throughout the world. What started in Wuhan, China quickly became a public health issue. Deaths have been increasing with medical professionals rushing to find a vaccine. Italy now is under full quarantine. The origins of the virus are unknown, but some speculate that it has come from the trade of exotic animals. Public gatherings and events are being curtailed to stop the spread. The Olympics could either be delayed or most likely cancelled if the coronavirus is not under control. This year's Olympics is going to take place in Tokyo. It would be the first time since 1964 that Japan hosted the Olympics. Sports fans may find themselves disappointed seeing as Japan has a high rate of coronavirus infection. Quarantines, travel restrictions, and public health measures have been imposed by various nations. If more is not done this has the potential to be a dangerous pandemic. There are basic actions that people can do to fight the virus. Hand washing and staying home when sick can be useful preventative measures. The challenge is staying away from large public gatherings. Fans and athletes may have to accept that the Olympics may be cancelled if the coronavirus cannot be dealt with. The World Health Organization continues to look for solutions. The Olympics are months away so there is a possibility they can go ahead with out complications.