Last week Nike came out with a new commercial all about women in sports. The commercial is narrated by Serena Williams and showcases how women are viewed in sports. The commercial also touches on some of the history-makers in female athletics. In my opinion, the ad is amazing and really sheds light on some challenges women in sports face, but battle with ferocity. I love how this ad encourages women to keep working hard and proving that they can do anything they set their minds to.
If you haven’t seen the commercial yet, here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whpJ19RJ4JY
In honour of International Women’s Week let’s look at some of the amazing accomplishments of women in sports included in the commercial!
Serena Williams
Serena Williams is an American tennis player who revolutionized women’s tennis with her powerful style of play. She has won more Grand Slam singles titles (23) than any other woman or man during the open tennis time period.
Williams took a break from tennis to have her daughter. In September she gave birth to Alexis Olympia. Two months later she married her husband Alexis. Williams returned to tennis in March 2018 after her short break, and much doubt by the media. She didn’t win a tournament in 2018, though she reached the finals at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. She proved everyone who doubted her wrong and is still inspiring women in sport.
Simone Biles
Simone Biles is an American gymnast who is considered one of the sport’s greatest athletes. At the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, she became the first female U.S. gymnast to win four gold medals at a single Olympic Games. She was also the first gymnast to win three consecutive world all-around titles from 2013–15.
Biles was adopted by her grandparents, who fostered her love for the sport. Simone is viable proof that hard work pays off.
Caster Semenya
Caster Semenya is a South African middle-distance runner. She is also a 2008 and 2016 Olympic gold medalist. Semenya won gold in the women’s 800 metres at the 2009 World Championships with and at the 2017 World Championships with her new personal best time of 1:55.16. Semenya also won the silver medal at the 2011 World Championships in the 800 metre run.
Following her victory at the world championships, questions were raised about her sex. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) asked her to take a sex verification test to verify whether she was female or not. She was exposed to all of these tests but continued to dominate the 800 meter, and not listen to the critics around her.
Becky Hammon
Becky Hammon is an American assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs in the National Basketball Association (NBA). She is also a retired professional basketball player who played for the San Antonio Stars, New York Liberty and Russian national team in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.
On August 5, 2014, Hammon was hired by the Spurs as an assistant coach. She became the second female assistant coach and first full-time female assistant coach in NBA history. In 2015, the Spurs announced that Hammon would be the team’s Summer League head coach, making her the first woman to be a head coach in that league. Hammon led the Spurs to the Las Vegas Summer League title that 2015 summer season.
*Bonus: Joan Benoit Samuelson was the first female Olympic marathon champion in 1984. 1984 was the first year women were allowed to run the marathon at the Olympics
There are so many examples of amazing women who have changed the way people think about all women in sport and who have encouraged other women to keep doing what they love. Never give up on sports just because someone tells you that you are crazy! Do what you love, and prove the doubters wrong!
Thanks,
Steph