I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve devoted to watching the Olympic Games since they started, but I can definitely say it’s about six times the amount I’ve devoted to doing work this week.
The reason I’ve been unable to close the tab on my computer that allows me to live stream the Olympic games is largely attributed to the inspirational women that have claimed the Gold for themselves and for their country.
Of course, winning isn’t everything. But in a society where women athletes are snubbed for having muscle, or are discouraged from standing out above men in any setting, there’s no shame in showing off the Gold for a little bit.
Because let’s be honest, when one woman wins, we all do. So here’s to all the Olympic athletes, the Olympic women, and the Olympic women who get to bring home the gold. Thank you for inspiring both older and younger generations of women who may simply need the reminder every now and then that it’s okay. It’s okay to be strong, to be tough, to be determined. It’s okay to be a winner.
Here are five times women have dominated the Olympics, Bless up.
1. When Simone Biles Picked up her THIRD gold medal.
At this point it really shouldn’t come as a surprise, but there isn’t anything more entertaining than seeing Simone stick landing after landing in whichever event she competes in. Flawless is an understatement. Especially when you’re winning by margins of two points or you know, winning the all-around competition to become the best gymnast in the world and what not.
2. When Katie Ledecky Won Gold by A Margin of 11 Seconds.
It’s no big deal, really. Katie Ledecky just decided to win her fourth gold medal on a casual 800m swim this past weekend. If you’ve seen the videos (or the above gif), she’s really only racing the World Record line, which she blew out of the water, too. Oh and in case you forgot, she also won gold at the London Games- at the age of fifteen. That is all.
3. When the U.S. Women’s Rowing Team won Their 11th Straight Olympic Title.
The only thing harder than winning for the first time is winning for the eleventh time. Ask any athlete and they’ll tell you one of the hardest things to do is to be consistent. And, well, nothing says consistent quite like the gold these women are bringing back home.
3. When Simone Manuel Broke a Record and Made History in Less than 60 Seconds.
Simone Manuel managed to come from behind in the 100m freestyle race to not only win, but break an Olympic record. On top of that, she became the first African-American woman to take home the gold in an individual swimming event at the Olympics. I can only guess how many parents will be naming their newborns Simone (can’t forget Biles, too) after the excellence displayed this past week. Regardless, it’s safe to say Manuel is one in a million, and many young girls will be looking up to her for years to come.
5. When Monica Puig Won Puerto Rico’s First Gold Medal.
Now here’s something a man has yet to do for Puerto Rico in the Olympics. I’m joking of course, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited that a woman was the first to do accomplish this for her country. Tennis isn’t usually the first sport I look to watch when I stream the Olympics, but this victory deserves all the attention in the world.
