The IOC Attempts To Ban Transwomen From Sports Competition

 

The IOC is making attempts to ban transwomen from Olympic competition. To some, this is a shock considering it is occurring under the first female IOC president Kristy Coventry. Transwomen have been allowed to compete in the Olympics since 2004. There were few objections and hysterical reactions during the 2000s. The anti-LGBTQ  backlash was fueled by the religious conservatives who hated that this group were getting equal treatment under the law. A culture war is now infecting international sports competition. This is also negatively impacting cisgender women. Female athletes are now subject to sex testing once more. It could possibly get more strict if a ban goes into effect. The IOC claims these measures are for the protection of the female category and fairness. The assertion just disguises discrimination based on gender identity. Cisgender women with differences in sexual development are being harassed by IOC policy. The policies enacted also reveal a degree of anti-trans misogyny. Transwomen receive more vituperation and abuse compared to transmen. Kristy Coventry's employment history is subject to debate. Her only experience managing a sports organization was being minister of  Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture in Zimbabwe. Prior to this Kristy was an a swimmer who competed in the Olympics. Kristy Coventry has no experience in government or sports management prior to the 2018 appointment by the Emmerson Mnangagwa administration. Her tenure as minister of    Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture did not leave lasting improvement or change. A similar pattern could occur with her leadership of the IOC. The reason she was probably elected was to make it easier to push discriminatory  policies. A female IOC president would have less difficulty getting anti-trans rules imposed. Kristy Coventry  was born in a country that was a white minority ruled colonial regime. Observers and activists realize that the IOC is going backwards and  policies are not supported by sports science. Cisgender women continue to hold the majority of sports records and few transwomen are competing.  

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. 

Tobi Amusan Sets A Sports Record

 

Tobi Amusan has set a new world record in the 100m hurdles . Her rise has been gradual with improvements being seen over the years. Kendra Harrison's record was broken by Tobi. Her time clocked was 12,12 seconds. This is an impressive feat. Some have suggested that the timing system was off. Other have implied that the shoes she was wearing for the race gave her an advantage. It appears some do not want to believe an athlete can break records without assistance. Tobi Amusan's footwear was Adidas Adizero shoes. The shoes are not considered illegal in races, nor can it be stated they provide unfair advantage. The Adidas shoe appears to provide more comfort and injury prevention. Tobi Amusan revealed that using the Adizero shoes helped her with patella fasciitis. If wind speed is too powerful  certain times are not allowed for record purposes. This explains why her time of 12.06 in the final will not be added to athletics records. Shoes did not make this happen. Talent and training made it possible. If she keeps improving, then Amusan's appearance at the Olympics will happen. Nigeria has the chance to win many gold medals with an impressive group of athletes. 

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. 

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.  

Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce Runs The Fastest 100 m

 

Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce has made a major mark in track and field. She is on her way to possibly breaking the Florence Griffith Joyner's record. Pryce clocked a time of 10.63. Joyner's times were 10.49, 10.61, and 10.62. She has been improving drastically and there is no doubt that Pryce will win gold at the Tokyo Olympics. Shelly-Ann Fraser could possibly reach 10.49 if her improvements continue. Currently, she is one of the fastest women in the world. Pryce does have competition from other athletes. Elaine Thompson Herah and Sha' Carri Richardson are formidable opponents. Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce demonstrates that women's athletic performance will continue to improve. The time 10.63 and the upcoming Olympics may be similar to 1988. There are a number of talented athletes about to change the records and  the 2020 Tokyo Olympics could be where it happens.   

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. 

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.