Four top U.S. gymnasts, Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, McKayla Maroney, and Maggie Nichols, testified at a Senate hearing Wednesday on how the FBI botched the investigation into sexual abuse allegations made against former USA Gymnastics doctor, Larry Nassar. Nassar is currently serving a life sentence for molesting hundreds of women and girls during his time […]
Allyson Felix Wins 11th Olympic Medal and Becomes Most Decorated U.S. Track Athlete of All Time: Feminist Recap of the 2021 Olympic Games
On Saturday, American track athlete Allyson Felix won her 11th Olympic medal by earning gold in the 4×400 meter relay. She is now the most decorated U.S. track athlete, of any gender, in history. Felix, 35, surpassed track star Carl Lewis, who had previously held the most Olympic medals of any American track athlete. Her […]
Feminist Recap of Olympics News: Sha’Carri Richardson, Soul Cap Swim Caps, and Gwen Berry
Sha’Carri Richardson, a star American sprinter set to join the U.S. Olympic track team, received a one-month suspension last Monday for a positive marijuana test. The suspension, issued by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, could jeopardize her participation in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics later this month. Richardson apologized for using marijuana, explaining that she used […]
Laurel Hubbard to Become the First Openly Transgender Olympian
Laurel Hubbard, a New Zealand weightlifter, will become the first ever openly transgender individual to compete at the Olympics. She has been selected as a member of the New Zealand women’s weightlifting team for this summer’s Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games. Hubbard will compete in the 87-kilogram women’s category. She suffered a potentially career-ending arm injury […]
Larry Nassar Faces Additional Charges
A grand jury in Texas has charged former Michigan State and USA Gymnastics Team Doctor Larry Nassar with six additional counts of sexual assault for attacks that allegedly occurred at the famed Karoyli Ranch, a gymnastics training center for budding Olympians. The Karoyli Ranch near Houston is run by the notoriously abusive gymnastic coaches Martha and Bele Karoyli. County prosecutors have declined to file charges against the couple.
Congress Passes Bill to Protect Young Athletes from Sexual Abuse
Last week, the House and Senate passed the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act that makes it mandatory for sports organizations to report the sexual abuse of athletes to law enforcement or social services within 24 hours. The bill is now waiting to be signed into law by the President.
Afghanistan Women’s Advancement: Progress Report
Despite the persistent Taliban terrorist attacks, Afghanistan is a nation that continues to make considerable progress.
American Women Dominate the Olympic Games, Huge Success of Title IX
American women are taking home 61 medals from Rio, with another 55 going to the men and five awarded in mixed events.
Afghan Women are Paving the Way for Future Athletes
This week, Afghanistan’s Kimia Yusufi competed against the best of the best in the 100-meter track heat at the 2016 Summer Olympics. She was one of three athletes, and the only woman, representing Afghanistan in Rio.
Sex Testing for Female Athletes Might Become a Thing of the Past
For the first time in over 50 years, women competing in the Olympics have not been subject to sex-testing, a shocking practice that has for years allowed sports governing organizations to police the gender and sex of women athletes, sometimes with devastating consequences.
Feminist Leaders Marched the Olympic Torch through Brazil
The 2016 Olympic Summer Games began with the traditional parading of the torch throughout the country, including in Fortaleza, where two leaders of Brazil’s feminist movement led the march through the northeastern city.
Ibtihaj Muhammad Is the First American to Compete in the Olympics Wearing a Hijab
This summer Ibtihaj Muhammad is the first American to compete in the Olympics while sporting the hijab, a headscarf some Muslim women choose to wear.
Olympic Refugee Team Shines Spotlight on Global Crisis
The Summer Olympic Games are set to launch in Rio de Janeiro on Friday, and for the first time ever there will be a team composed entirely of refugees, shining a light on the global refugee crisis and providing hope for displaced people.
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Olympic Committee says LGBT Activists Will Not Be Punished in Russia Under Anti-Gay Law
The International Olympic Committee has stated that LGBT athletes and visitors of the 2014 Winter Olympics will not be penalized under extreme anti-gay legislation passed in Russia last month.
Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down: A Feminist Look at the Olympics (So Far)
With all of the TV coverage, print and digital news, Facebook updates, Twitter hashtags and blog posts about what’s happening in London, we’ve gathered our favorite (and not so favorite) feminist moments and commentaries from the 2012 Summer Games. Please to share your thoughts in the comments below! for British weightlifter Zoe Smith, who spoke out […]
