The League of Extraordinary Women in Sports, Now as Then

March 27, 2024

And yet, or just for this reason, it’s so fascinating to be women. It’s an adventure that takes such courage, a challenge that’s never boring. You’ll have so many things to engage you if you’re born a woman. To begin with, you’ll have to struggle to maintain that if God exists he might even be an old woman with white hair or a beautiful girl. Then, you’ll have to struggle to explain that it wasn’t sin that was born on the day when Eve picked an apple, but a splendid virtue called disobedience. Finally, you’ll have to prove that inside your smooth and round body there’s an intelligence screaming to be heard.

Oriana Fallaci, Letter to a Child Never Born, 1975

Billie Jean King – The Battle of the Sexes and Gender Equality

Winner of 39 Grand Slam titles in singles and doubles, Billie Jean King dominated women’s tennis in the ’60s and ’70s.

In 1973, she agreed to play against Bobby Riggs, in one of the three matches that gave rise to the historic and legendary event known as the Battle of the Sexes.

Her victory assumed extraordinary social importance in an era when women were considered inferior to men, boh in sports and in other aspects of life.

Indeed, it inspired generations of women and Billie Jean King became one of the most authoritative figures in the fight for women’s rights and gender equality.

Billie Jean King also supported the birth of the first professional women’s tournament in the ’70s, working tirelessly on its promotion.

She became the president of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) in 1973, while in 1974, she launched the Women’s Sports Foundation.

Nadia Comăneci – The Revolution of Artistic Gymnastics

Nadia Comăneci was born in Romania in 1961, when the country was ruled by a repressive communist regime.

Artistic gymnastics was one of the few sports allowed, and Comăneci began practicing it at the age of six.

In 1976, she participated in the Montreal Olympics, and during her debut competition, she performed with such precision that her uneven bars routine achieved, for the first time in history, a score of 10.0.

Subsequently, she won three gold medals, becoming a global icon.

After Montreal, the regime forced her to remain in Romania, depriving her of her freedom and privacy and obligating her to perform in propagandistic shows.

She managed to escape in 1989, settling in the United States.

Even today, her story is a symbol of grace and unwavering determination.

Serena Williams – The Queen of Modern Tennis

Serena Williams, The Queen, stands out as one of the greatest and most influential tennis players of all time.

She has achieved incredible consistency in her career, earning 39 Grand Slam titles, including 23 in singles.

However, she extends her impact beyond the results achieved on the court.

Serena Williams has openly spoken about gender discrimination and racism in the sports industry, raising awareness and promoting equality and inclusion.

She has also overcome several obstacles, such as health issues, demonstrating extraordinary resilience and determination.

Her prestige extends beyond tennis and inspires women worldwide to pursue their goals with passion and confidence.

Ibtihaj Muhammad – Challenging Prejudices

American fencing champion, specializing in sabre, Ibtihaj Muhammad made history at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

She was the first Muslim woman to compete internationally for the United States, wearing the hijab in every match.

She’s also the first athlete to win an Olympic medal, a bronze, while wearing it.

Ibtihaj Muhammad sent a powerful message, reminding us that diversity should never be a reason for discrimination, especially in sports, a fair playing field by definition.

Her presence at the Olympics challenged, triumphantly, prejudices and stereotypes.

Federica Pellegrini – The Records of La Divina

Federica Pellegrini, La Divina (The Divine), is the greatest Italian swimmer in history and one of the most talented overall.

In 2004, at just sixteen years old, she won a silver medal in the 200 meters freestyle, becoming the youngest Italian athlete to stand on an individual Olympic podium at the time.

Subsequently, at the World Swimming Championships in Melbourne in 2007, she broke the first of the 11 world records she set in her career; the following year, at the Beijing Olympics, she became the first Italian woman to win a gold medal in swimming.

At the World Championships in Rome, in 2009, she was the first woman to break the 4-minute barrier in the 400 meters freestyle and won the final in her favorite distance, the 200 meters.

During the final, she beat her own record, stopping the clock at 1’52”98: it’s the longest-standing world record in the history of women’s swimming, undefeated for 14 years.

With talent, dedication, and grit, Federica Pellegrini dominated freestyle races for over a decade, becoming a role model for future generations.

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