Megan Rapinoe Worn Shorts 2012 Uswnt Soccer Nike World Cup Olympian Futbol

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Seller: memorabilia111 ✉️ (808) 100%, Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, US, Ships to: US & many other countries, Item: 176277815977 MEGAN RAPINOE WORN SHORTS 2012 USWNT SOCCER NIKE WORLD CUP OLYMPIAN FUTBOL. USWNT Nike official match shorts worn by Megan Rapinoe #15 IN 2012 Megan Anna Rapinoe is an American professional soccer player who plays as a winger for OL Reign of the National Women's Soccer League, as well as the United States national team.
The bold and brash captain of the U.S. women’s soccer team cemented her place in sports history with an MVP performance in last year’s World Cup, including spot-on penalty kicks under pressure, even as President Donald Trump tweeted criticisms of her. An outspoken advocate for LGBTQ rights, she’d already allied herself with the racial justice movement by kneeling for the national anthem at games and helped lead her team’s gender discrimination lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation. Gareth Cattermole – FIFA/Getty Images HBR: How are you so clutch? Rapinoe: Some of it is just my natural inclination. I’m a pretty confident person and luckily don’t deal with a lot of anxiety. Also, the team has been so successful for so many years. We’re constantly in the pressure cooker, and there is the expectation of perfection. That’s always our goal. So if you’re a starter on the women’s national team and you’ve made it to the World Cup, you’ve gone through the gantlet. You’re well prepared. And I love big games. Now that I’ve played in front of 50,000, 60,000, 70,000 people, my nightmare is to play in front of 2,500. I see myself as an entertainer as well as an athlete, probably more the former than the latter. So I just revel in those moments: having that huge crowd with all those crazy fans and millions watching on TV, being in the spotlight when so often women in sports are not. That’s an incredible stage to be on. It’s fun. Not even World Cup penalty shots make you nervous? If you miss a shot, you missed it. You can’t go back. You can only try to not make the same mistake twice. I’ve won a lot in my career, and I’ve lost a lot. You take the good with the bad. Also, it’s not only about winning. It’s about the process and the journey, the people you’re with, continuing to grow and learn, and getting better every day. After major setbacks—big losses, injuries—how do you reset and recover? It’s important to allow yourself to feel in that moment. My first major loss was the 2011 World Cup. We were ahead with two minutes left, but we let in a late goal and lost on penalty kicks. It was devastating. But after you get your ugly cries out in the shower, there’s always another game. We were in the Olympic finals the following year against the same team and won, even though I thought we played better in the World Cup. It’s sports. You don’t always win or have the best performance. And injuries are an occupational hazard. You can dwell and be grumpy or just get on with rehab and find other things to fill your time. We athletes struggle like everybody else. But you can’t take it too seriously. In our sport, losing the World Cup final may be the biggest deal. But in life it’s just one more thing. How did you grow into your team leader role? Growing is a great way to describe it. It was a process. When you come on the national team, you’re young, and all these other players have been there for so long—you just try to learn from them. Obviously I had great mentors. Then I was the veteran. I started to realize the power I had in 2016 or 2017. I think I have a particular charisma and trust with my teammates. I made a conscious decision to take on more. I challenged myself to be accountable in a way that I hadn’t before. Professional sports can sometimes feel like Groundhog Day; I’ve been doing the same thing for 10 years. Being more of a leader was a way to expand myself emotionally and intellectually. I’ve always been a team-first player. I’ve never been the best, and I don’t think I am now, but I carry a lot of weight, and if I do that in a positive way, I can have a big impact. I want to win and be successful, but I want everyone else to do it with me, and to do it with them. If a more senior player sets that example—so that we create this environment where everybody feels seen and heard, and confident, and that they have a place—it changes everything. Tell me about the equity push. Obviously, certain people like me and Alex Morgan speak publicly, but this has always been a team fight, and it dates back generations. I might get more attention, but other people are the architects of our strategy. We’ve made every single decision with the entire group, which can be difficult at times, with 25 or 30 people on a call or in a room. But if my job is to be the mouthpiece, I’ll do it. And I’m conscious of being the louder one in the way that everybody wants. Trying to gauge that and bring people along is a little bit of a challenge, because we each have our own perspective. But, especially behind closed doors, we do a good job of challenging one another and making sure that when we do talk to the media, we’re always doing so on behalf of the group. And it’s about not just pay but also other resources, right? Pay is how we tend to validate people in our society, so that’s the hot-button issue. But you cannot have a meaningful conversation about compensation until you discuss investment in youth programs, medical and high-performance support, marketing and branding, and ticket sales and sponsorships. You can argue that on average, the men have more attendance than the women. But if you have 10 people on sales for them and one person for the women, it’s not a fair comparison. All that—decades of gender discrimination—has to be equaled out. Why did you join the racial justice protest? It came very easily to me. I’m an avid reader of the news and watcher of SportsCenter, and I try to keep up on what’s happening in the world. We had just come through an incredibly violent summer, with several high-profile murders of people of color by the police. We already had massive incarceration. Anybody who says this is not happening is willfully blind. So knowing all that, being a gay woman and athlete who understands the importance of allyship, hearing Colin [Kaepernick] speak, I thought, This is something tangible that I can do, as a white athlete, to show support. I haven’t experienced racial injustice or profiling myself, but I don’t have to to believe that others have. So often people shy away when it’s not literally their skin in the game. But it is all the same to me. I honestly thought a lot more athletes would get involved. How did you deal with the backlash? It was difficult, not in a “Did I do the right thing?” way—I never wavered on that and feel even more solid in my decision now—but personally. People were very angry about it—really, really, really upset—and the conversation got twisted in so many ways, with critics saying I was leveraging it for myself or unpatriotic. I tried to just weather it. I didn’t get dropped by any sponsors, but I didn’t get any new ones. I didn’t play again for the national team until they made the rule that you had to stand; they’ve denied that was the reason, but it’s obvious. It created such a division. Still, the people who I care about—those close to me, activists, other athletes, Colin, and social justice advocates—were very supportive. And it was a lot less hard than being racially profiled for your whole life, so… When corporate leaders ask you what they can do to promote inclusivity, what do you tell them? One thing is to set the environment first, prior to someone being there. For example, I don’t think any NFL owner would say, “We don’t want gay players on our team.” But they don’t seem very welcoming. The environment includes the language you use, the training courses you offer, your hiring practices, who you do business with, what your executive suite looks like. All those things signal to people whether they’re safe or not. The proactivity of people in the majority is really important. Getting back to team leadership… Your fellow players are stars who’ve been the best at what they do forever. How do you motivate them when they need it? By cultivating personal relationships. I’m not best friends with every player on the team. I’m closer to some than to others, partly because of age: I’ve got a decade on a lot of them. But I understand each person. Do I need to tell them that what they’re doing isn’t good enough? Or, coming from me, will that crush them? What does the player need? Leadership isn’t about having one style; it’s about being shifty and giving everybody what will make them confident and comfortable so that they can do the thing they’re good at. Obviously, on the national team everybody’s ridiculously good, and they really don’t need any motivation. But if someone is feeling low or not playing, and the coach isn’t helping, then I just meet them where they are, figure out what will get the best out of them, and give it. What have you learned from your own coaches and fellow players? The secure, confident, and honest ones are the best. I played for our new national team coach, Vlatko Andonovski, for two years in Seattle. He’s just a chill, down-to-earth guy. He’ll give it to you very straight but also tell you, “Wow, that was amazing.” That’s a good balance. We’re in a high-pressure environment, especially with all this stuff off the field, so a little humor never hurts either. Mark Krikorian, who’s now the head coach at Florida State, is also secure and honest and one of the best coaches I’ve ever had. You seem very secure yourself—confident, self-aware, authentic. Where does that come from? Oh, gosh. I do think I was born confident. Also, I almost didn’t grow up in regular society: I’ve always been around all these other superconfident, very successful female athletes, and we allow ourselves space to be however we are. I’ve been very lucky to be on incredible teams that win, which gives you positive feelings. And I get honest feedback from people I really, really love: my mom; my sister; my partner, Sue; and my teammates, who don’t care if I’m famous and give it to me real. How are you navigating your new beyond-soccer fame? Without a compass, other than my own take on what is right and wrong. Sometimes a moment culminates in a person or personality, but I understand that it’s not something I did, so I need to be responsible with it and respect it appropriately and understand what an honor it is. I feel that I’m getting to do this really serious and important but also fun and dynamic thing. We’ve been able to leverage what we love—sport and soccer—and use it as a vehicle to help change the world around us. I joke with my teammates about my newfound fame, and it is funny. But I’m trying to do the best I can and get other people to join me. I don’t want to do this alone. That’s never been my style. I understand that I’m a part of something bigger. And again, I don’t take any of it too seriously. I get to play soccer for a living and have this privilege of standing on a platform that so many other people have helped build. I’m no better than anyone else. Everybody works hard, and we’re all in this together. You’ve talked a lot about your conservative parents and hometown. How did that upbringing affect your career decisions and approach to life? With my parents I’m like, “Are you sure you’re conservative? I know you’re voting that way, but I think you’re ticking the wrong box.” That’s because I grew up in a really open, loving family. Gender roles were totally equal. My mom was a waitress and worked nights. My dad was a construction worker during the day. And they both did everything: yardwork, housework, cooking, picking us up, driving us everywhere. Once I figured out I was gay, in college, we didn’t talk about it a lot, but the response was never negative. When I came back to Redding [California], everyone was like, “We’re a little unsure about this, but we know you, so that sort of trumps the gay.” I’ve been exposed to more of the world because of soccer, with trips at a young age to Mexico City and Bangkok and European cities and other parts of the United States. So maybe I developed a more expansive worldview. But I’m not ashamed to be from Redding. Excepting white nationalists, I don’t think that people who voted for Trump are bad. I am who I am because of my parents and their friends and the neighbors I grew up with. I’m in them, and they’re in me. We’re working-class. I have family members in the military and a brother who’s addicted to drugs and has had so many issues. And I got the ability to be whoever I wanted to be. I feel uniquely American in that way. As your soccer career comes to an end, how are you thinking about when you want to retire and your second act? I’d like to play in another Olympics and World Cup. After that I’ll reassess and see where we’re at and how I’m feeling. I’m never going to be a person who stops playing because I don’t love the game. I still do. And I would never want to cut my career short. But we’ll see. In the 2019 Women's World Cup finals, when the final whistle blew and the U.S. team stormed the field in celebration, thousands of fans chanted, "Equal pay! Equal Pay!" The U.S. Women's National Team, co-captained by Megan Rapinoe, has been a symbol of gender equality ever since they filed a lawsuit in March 2019 against the U.S. Soccer Federation alleging pay discrimination. Members of the women's soccer team earn significantly less than their male counterparts — despite the fact that their team has been more successful and more profitable. (The women's team has won four World Cup tournaments; the men's team has never won the World Cup.) Rapinoe says that when it comes to pay equity, the U.S. is due for a "paradigm shift" in how we understand the value and potential of women. "Men are so often paid and compensated on the potential that they show, not necessarily what they've done," Rapinoe says. "And women are so often paid on what they've actually done — which normally I would say, we outperform what our contract was." A federal judge dismissed the claim in May 2020, but the team plans to file an appeal. U.S. Women's Soccer Team Wins World Cup Title For A 4th Time SPORTS U.S. Women's Soccer Team Wins World Cup Title For A 4th Time Head Of U.S. Soccer Resigns Amid Pay Dispute With Women's National Team SPORTS Head Of U.S. Soccer Resigns Amid Pay Dispute With Women's National Team "The amount of money that [the women's team players] could possibly earn in our contract — compared to the amount of money that the men could possibly earn in the contract — is very different," Rapinoe says. "We've been very successful ... and to get paid about the same dollar-for-dollar amount [as the men] — that's sort of at the heart of pay inequity and gender discrimination. " U.S. Soccer Lifts Ban On Kneeling During National Anthem LIVE UPDATES: PROTESTS FOR RACIAL JUSTICE U.S. Soccer Lifts Ban On Kneeling During National Anthem Rapinoe has also been an outspoken advocate for the Black Lives Matter movement. In 2016, she was among the first high-profile white athletes to take a knee during the national anthem, in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick. Rapinoe writes about her life on and off the field in the new memoir, One Life. Interview Highlights On the repercussions she faced after taking a knee They're sort of gray repercussions, I'll say. Like in terms of sponsorships, I didn't lose any sponsorships, which I think is great. Obviously Nike's a big sponsor of mine. But I certainly didn't get any new sponsorships and I certainly didn't get any new opportunities sort of in the short term. From U.S. soccer's perspective, from playing, I really didn't play again until the spring, I think, or even later into the next year. ... Megan Rapinoe kneels during the National Anthem prior to the match between the United States and the Netherlands in Atlanta, Ga., on Sept. 18, 2016. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images So this is where the gray part comes in. I had played in those two games in the first two games that I had knelt. I think that was in October. So we had a November camp and I was coming off of an injury. So I wasn't really at my best, but I was clearly on the way back to my best. We just won the World Cup, I was a big part of that team. And I think it was all signs relating to I was going to be coming back and playing back to my best, but I just needed time. And so that was sort of used as an excuse. ... I was left off the next roster and the next roster. So it just was one of those things where it's like I think they were like, if you just sort of fade off into the distance, we'd be happy with that. I never lost my contract. But no, they did not really allow me back on the field until the rule was instituted that you had to stand for the national anthem during our games. So I felt like I was pushed out and not allowed to play purposely because I knelt. On if she regrets kneeling No, no, no, definitely not. I mean, I think honestly, the only thing that that I regret maybe was when I came back that I didn't keep kneeling. That's something that I feel like I still struggle with. I didn't want to lose my job. I didn't want to not have a platform to talk on. I didn't want to not keep playing for the national team. And so that was a really tough decision. I mean, I think in one sense, I probably made the right decision because I sort of battled back and got to a level where I was then undeniable. And then they had a really big problem on their hands because I really wasn't going anywhere. On how the USWNT is set apart from other teams because they always believe they will win We win a lot because we really, truly, deep down believe that we're going to win. I think that comes from battling against each other all the time and understanding that it takes more than just a desire to win to win. It takes a belief, it takes a determination, and it takes hard work. It takes a trust and it takes a vulnerability with each other to show up in that way, and to be able to kind of lay it out all on the line all the time. I've been in so many games, honestly, where I feel like the other team is too insecure to show how much they want to win. And so they just don't. There's no insecurity on our team about that. We will embarrass ourselves to the nth degree to win a game. ... I feel like other teams, like want to win, of course, because you're playing in a game and that's the whole point, you want to win. But to [want to win] in a very raw way, in a very vulnerable way, just be like, we don't care if we're down 4 - 0, we will never give up. We don't care if we look stupid or whatever. We just focus on winning and never giving up. On coming out publicly in 2012 One Life, by Megan Rapinoe Penguin Random House Publicly, I think a lot changed. I still to this day have people coming up to me or writing to me or whatever it may be, thanking me or saying, I'm the reason they felt OK with themselves or I'm the reason their family was OK or parents coming up to me who very clearly have little budding gay children. And even if it's an unspoken thing, they see themselves in me. They see a future for their children that isn't just all about the stereotype that you hear, which is how hard life is to be gay. And not to say that life isn't difficult being gay. For a lot of people, it really is. But it's not all bad. It's not all struggle. Whenever I go into a room like we don't have to talk about the fact that I'm gay or an interview or whatever doesn't have to be all about that. But I'm very out and proud and will show that and will live a very out and open life. And I think that that's vital for people to see. On trying to reconcile the fact that her older brother Brian, who has been in and out of prison on drug charges, got a swastika tattoo while in prison I think that we do not understand as people who have never been in prison, I don't think we really understand [that] prison society is very different from normal society. Not like a wholesale excuse for anybody who does anything bad in prison. But I think that the rules are different. I think also, like multiple things can be true at one time. Things are complicated. So maybe that is where he found a sense of community or he found a sense of belonging or just protection. When your life is on the line, I think pretty much anybody would do anything in their power to save it. And so while it was just baffling and sort of devastating to even know that it was like, OK, well, what does it mean? And talk to us about it. Why did you do this? ... I think that a lot of the tension was made or I guess the tension between the groups was wanted by the prison system to sort of keep everybody in line. It's like, as long as all the prisoners are fighting each other, they're not going to organize and fight against the system that's suppressing them all and locking them away forever and ruining lives. And so I think he kind of started to realize through his journey that, we're all fighting amongst each other, but maybe we really should be fighting against the prison system, or against mass incarceration, or the drug laws or the three strikes rule or whatever. ... It's never excusable ever. White supremacy is just as dark of a human belief that you could possibly have. But I want to understand it better rather than just say, "Holy s---, you're a white supremacist. I'm never gonna talk to you again." On what the American flag means to her, as someone who represents the U.S. National Team What I think that the flag should mean is, like, an impossible standard in which we are always trying to get to. We're not there. We were never there. First of all, the country was founded not on freedom and liberty and justice for all. I think we can just start to be very honest with ourselves about that. It doesn't mean that we don't have some of those qualities and that we can work towards some of those qualities. But this country was founded on chattel slavery and the brutal and ruthless system of slavery. So let's all be really honest about that. I see patriotism as constantly demanding better of ourselves. Megan Rapinoe So when I look at the flag, what I want to see is us constantly trying to live up to these words and live up to this ideal where all people are free, and all people do have all of the rights, and all people can have a life filled with liberty and justice for all. ... But I think we just so clearly have so far to go. And so I see patriotism as constantly demanding better of ourselves. Megan Anna Rapinoe (/rəˈpiːnoʊ/ (listen); born July 5, 1985) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a winger for OL Reign of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), as well as the United States national team. Winner of the Ballon d'Or Féminin and named The Best FIFA Women's Player in 2019,[3][4] Rapinoe won gold with the national team at the 2012 London Summer Olympics, 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, and 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup and she played for the team at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup where the U.S. finished in second place. Rapinoe co-captained the national team alongside Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan from 2018 to 2020.[5][6] She previously played for the Chicago Red Stars, Philadelphia Independence, and MagicJack in Women's Professional Soccer (WPS), as well as Olympique Lyon in France's Division 1 Féminine. Rapinoe is internationally known for her crafty style of play on the field and her activism off it.[7][8][9] Her precise cross to Abby Wambach in the 122nd minute of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup quarterfinal match against Brazil resulted in an equalizer and eventual win for the Americans after a penalty shootout. The last-minute goal received ESPN's 2011 ESPY Award for Best Play of the Year. During the 2012 London Olympics, she scored three goals and tallied a team-high four assists to lead the United States to a gold medal. She is the first player, male or female, to score a goal directly from a corner at the Olympic Games, having done so twice. She won the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France.[10] Rapinoe is an advocate for numerous LGBTQIA+ organizations, including the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and Athlete Ally. In 2013, she received the Board of Directors Award from the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center. Rapinoe was included in Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2020.[11] In July 2022, Rapinoe received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Joe Biden.[12] Early life Rapinoe grew up in Redding, California, with her parents, Jim and Denise, and five siblings, including her fraternal twin Rachael Rapinoe. Denise and Jim raised seven children together, not all their own. Denise has a son and daughter, Michael and Jenny, from a previous marriage; then came older brother Brian and then the twins five years later. Jim and her grandfather Jack both served in the Army.[13] She has Italian (from her paternal grandfather) and Irish ancestry.[14] She idolized her older brother Brian and started playing soccer at age three after watching him play the sport,[15] but he started using drugs when the girls were in second grade.[13] When she was ten and he was fifteen, he was put in juvenile detention, and was thereafter in and out of various prisons including Pelican Bay State Prison. Brian has since made a determined effort to avoid drugs after seeing his younger sister's success in international soccer.[16] For Rachael and Megan, soccer was a means to get away from the drug abuse that is widespread in rural California.[15] High school Rapinoe spent most of her youth playing with teams coached by her father until high school.[17] Instead of playing soccer at Foothill High School, Rapinoe played for the Elk Grove Pride club team, located south of Sacramento.[18][19] She competed in track as a freshman and sophomore; competed in basketball as a freshman, sophomore, and senior; and was on the honor roll every semester of high school.[19] Rapinoe was named Parade and National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-American as a junior and senior. She was named to McDonald's All-American Girls High School Soccer West Team in 2004.[20] Rapinoe played for the under-14 Northern California state Olympic Development Program (ODP) team in 1999, as well as the regional ODP team in 2002.[21] Elk Grove United, 2002–2005 From 2002 to 2005, Rapinoe played for Elk Grove Pride in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) along with her sister, Rachael, and future national teammate, Stephanie Cox.[22][23] She and her family commuted two-and-a-half hours from her hometown to play with the team.[24] During the US Youth Soccer National Championships, she scored an equalizer goal in the 18th minute to tie the game 1–1 against the Peachtree City Lazers. Elk Grove United finished second at the nationals after the Lazers scored a game-winning goal in the second half.[25] University of Portland Pilots, 2005–2008 Rapinoe and her sister attended the University of Portland in Portland, Oregon. The Rapinoe twins almost committed to Santa Clara University before choosing to play for the Portland Pilots on full scholarships.[26] Rapinoe played in the 2004 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship in 2004, where the United States finished third. The result was that she did not play college soccer in that year.[27] In 2005, as a freshman, Rapinoe helped the Pilots to an undefeated season and the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship. During the College Cup quarterfinal against Notre Dame, she scored twice and served one assist, helping the Pilots win 3–1 and advance in the College Cup.[28] During the College Cup final against UCLA, she scored one goal and served an assist helping the Pilots win 4–0.[29] She was named NSCAA First Team All-American and was on the Soccer America First Team Freshman All-America. Rapinoe made the NCAA Women's Soccer Championship All Tournament Team and was the West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year.[30] She was also named to the All-West Coast Conference First Team and the All-West Coast Conference Freshman Team. Rapinoe played and started all 25 games as an attacking midfielder, scoring 15 goals and adding 13 assists for 43 points – ranking fifth for freshman point totals in the school's history.[21] That year, she also scored seven game-winning goals.[19] "I know this sounds weird, but getting hurt was one of the best things that ever happened to me. It really gave me a different perspective. Before, everything was going how it was supposed to be and I wasn't really appreciative of what I was doing and what it took to be there. The injury grounded me in a lot of different ways. The rehab process makes you stronger on all fronts, mentally and physically. I feel stronger and a better person for it. I would never wish it on anyone, but I don't wish I could take it back." —Megan Rapinoe[31] As a sophomore in 2006, Rapinoe was among the nation's leading scorers with ten goals and two assists in eleven matches. During a match against Washington State University on October 5, she suffered her first season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL) injury.[32] Despite her injury, she was one of four Portland players in the program's history, including Christine Sinclair, Tiffeny Milbrett, and Shannon MacMillan, to score 25 goals and 15 assists in two seasons.[19] In 2007, Rapinoe suffered her second season-ending ACL injury two games into the season.[21] She was granted a medical hardship waiver by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) but did not use it.[19][33] After taking her time to recover from her second ACL injury, Rapinoe returned for the 2008 season and was on the starting lineup in all 22 games for the Pilots. She helped the team secure a 20–2 record scoring five goals and serving 13 assists.[34] Her 13 assists ranked first for the Pilots as well as in the West Coast Conference and she was named West Coast Conference Player of the Year.[35] She was also named a Soccer America First-Team All-American and NSCAA Second Team All-American.[19] Although she had one more season of college eligibility remaining due to her NCAA medical hardship waiver, she opted to enter the Women's Professional Soccer Draft instead.[19][36] Rapinoe's 88-point career, including 30 goals and 28 assists, ranks tenth in the school's history despite her playing only 60 games.[19] Club career Women's Professional Soccer (WPS), 2009–2011 Rapinoe was selected second overall in the 2009 WPS Draft by the Chicago Red Stars for the inaugural season of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS), the highest division of soccer in the United States at the time.[37] She was on the starting lineup in 17 of the 18 games in which she appeared for the Red Stars for a total of 1,375 minutes on the pitch.[38] Rapinoe scored two goals and assisted on three others.[19] In August 2009, she was named to the league's All-Star Team[39] and played in the 2009 WPS All-Star Game against Swedish Damallsvenskan champions Umeå IK.[40] In 2010, she started in 19 of the 20 games in which she appeared for the Red Stars. She scored one goal.[19] Rapinoe warming up before a MagicJack match, 2011 In December 2010, Rapinoe signed with expansion team Philadelphia Independence after the Chicago Red Stars ceased operations.[41] She appeared in four games and scored one goal before being traded to MagicJack (formerly Washington Freedom) while she was in Germany for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.[42][43] It was reported that the "cash considerations" involved in the transfer were $100,000.[44][45] The average salary for a female player in the league was $25,000.[46] Rapinoe scored two goals in her eight regular season appearances for MagicJack[38] helping the team finish third in the league standings and secure a spot in the playoffs.[47][48] During the team's semi-final match against the Boston Breakers on August 17, 2011, Rapinoe scored in the 61st minute solidifying the team's 3–1 win and advancement to the championship final.[49] MagicJack was later defeated 2–0 by the Philadelphia Independence in the final.[50][51] On October 25, 2011, the WPS voted to terminate the MagicJack franchise, leaving Rapinoe and many other players as free agents for the 2012 season.[52] The league suspended operations in early 2012.[53] Sydney FC and Seattle Sounders Women, 2011–2012 In October 2011, Rapinoe signed with Australian W-League team Sydney FC as a guest player for two games.[54] In her second game against Melbourne Victory, she scored with seven minutes remaining to seal three points for Sydney.[55] The win was the first for Sydney during the 2011–12 season.[56] Sydney FC went on to finish third in the regular season[57] and advanced to the playoffs where they were defeated by Brisbane Roar in penalty kicks.[58] During the summer of 2012, Rapinoe joined fellow national team members Hope Solo, Sydney Leroux, Alex Morgan and Stephanie Cox to play with the Seattle Sounders Women in between camps with the national team as they prepared for the 2012 Summer Olympics.[59] Of the signing, Sounders head coach Michelle French said, "Stemming from her leadership and success at the University of Portland, Megan has continued to evolve and grow into one of the most exciting, unpredictable, creative, and flashy players in the women's game."[60] Rapinoe made two appearances during the regular season with the team, serving two assists.[61] With Rapinoe and her national teammates' presence on the team,[62][63] the Sounders sold out nine of their ten home matches at the 4,500 capacity Starfire Stadium.[64] Average attendance during the 2012 season for the Sounders Women was four times higher than the next closest team.[64] Olympique Lyonnais, 2013–2014 Rapinoe with Olympique Lyonnais in 2013 In January 2013, Rapinoe signed for six months with Olympique Lyonnais, the French side that had previously won six consecutive French league championships and two straight European titles, for a reported €11,000 (or approximately $14,000) a month.[65] Rapinoe played in six regular season matches for the team, scoring two goals primarily playing as a left winger in the squad's 4–3–3 formation.[38] Rapinoe made her UEFA Women's Champions League debut during the first leg of the 2012–13 quarterfinal against FC Malmö on March 20.[66] She scored one goal during her 24 minutes on the pitch contributing to Lyon's 5–0 final victory.[67] She later scored a goal and served an assist during Lyon's 6–1 win over FCF Juvisy in the second leg of the semi-finals.[68] Rapinoe became the fifth American woman in history to play in a Champions League final when Lyon faced German side VfL Wolfsburg on May 23.[69][70] Lyon was defeated 1–0 in the final.[66] Rapinoe concluded her Champions League debut having made five appearances, scoring two goals and serving one assist.[66] After returning to Lyon for the 2013–14 season,[71] Rapinoe scored three goals in her eight appearances for the club.[38] During the 2013–14 Champions League, she made four appearances for Lyon and scored one goal during the team's 6–0 defeat of FC Twente.[72][73] Lyon was eliminated in the Round of 16.[74] In January 2014, it was announced that Rapinoe had ended her time with Lyon earlier than planned and would be returning to the Seattle Reign for the entire 2014 season.[75] She finished her time with Lyon having scored 8 goals in 28 matches in all competitions.[76] Rapinoe during a match against the Boston Breakers, April 13, 2014 Seattle Reign FC, 2013–present In 2013, Rapinoe joined Seattle Reign FC to which she had been previously allocated in the National Women's Soccer League.[77] Before Rapinoe joined the squad, the team had been struggling to score goals and were 0–9–1 in ten games.[78] With the addition of Rapinoe, her national team and former Seattle Sounders Women teammate, Hope Solo, and some lineup changes to the front line, the Reign improved their goal-scoring ability and turned their league record around.[79] During a match against her former team in the WPS, the Chicago Red Stars, Rapinoe played a direct role in all of Seattle's four goals – leading the team to a 4–1 win over Chicago. After scoring two goals and serving one assist during the match, she was named NWSL Player of the Week for Week 16 for the 2013 NWSL season.[80] Despite only playing approximately half of the season (12 out of 22 regular season games), Rapinoe was the Reign's leading scorer with five goals.[81] After suffering a foot injury during the first home match of the 2014 season on April 14, Rapinoe sat out several games and made her second season appearance on July 3 against Western New York Flash. Her four goals and one assist during the regular season helped the Reign secure the league's regular season title (NWSL Shield) with a 16–2–6 record and 54 points – 13 points ahead of the second place team, FC Kansas City.[82] During the team's playoff semi-final match against Washington Spirit, Rapinoe scored a goal helping the Reign win 2–1 and advance to the championship final against FC Kansas City.[83] Despite Rapinoe's goal during the championship final, the Reign was ultimately defeated by Kansas City 2–1.[84] Rapinoe returned to the Reign for the 2015 season. During the team's first match against Western New York Flash, she scored her first professional hat trick and served an assist to Jess Fishlock to help the Reign defeat the Flash 5–1.[85][86] She was subsequently named the league's NWSL Player of the Week for week 1 of the season.[87][88] In September 2019, the Reign FC recognized Rapinoe, along with 11 others, as a Reign FC Legend, joining the 36 previous legends.[89][90] During the 2021 season, Rapinoe scored six goals in 12 appearances for the club and co-captained the squad with Lauren Barnes.[91][92] In August 2021, Rapinoe was named NWSL Player of the Month.[93] The Reign finished in second place during the regular season with a 13–8–3 record.[94] After advancing to the NWSL Playoffs, they were eliminated by eventual champions Washington Spirit.[95] International career Youth national teams Rapinoe played for the United States under-16 national soccer team in 2002 and traveled with the team to France and Houston, Texas.[19] She also played at the United States Youth Soccer Association International Tournament in Houston in May 2003.[19] From 2003 to 2005, Rapinoe played for the United States under-19 team. She made 21 appearances and scored nine goals.[19] Her first camp with the under-19 team occurred in January 2003 in Chula Vista, California.[19] She traveled with the team during a European tour to the Netherlands and Germany in July 2003.[19] She scored her first goal with the team against Mexico on March 1, 2003.[19] Rapinoe played in three matches at the 2004 CONCACAF Under-19 qualifying tournament, scoring three goals.[19] During the 2004 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship in Thailand she scored a team-high three goals, including one in the third place match victory against Brazil.[19][96][97] Senior national team National team debut and injury recovery, 2006–2009 Rapinoe trained with the United States women's national soccer team for the first time during the team's 2006 Residency Training Camp in Carson, California. She made her debut for the senior team on July 23, 2006, during a friendly match against Ireland. She scored her first two goals on October 1, 2006, during a friendly match against Taiwan.[19] Due to two separate ACL injuries, Rapinoe did not play for the senior team in 2007 or 2008 and subsequently missed the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.[98] Upon her return to the team in 2009, she led the team in points with five, including two goals and one assist. She was on the starting lineup in six of the seven games in which she played the same year.[19] During the 2009 Algarve Cup, Rapinoe scored the game-winning goal against Norway leading the team to a 1–0 victory during the team's third group stage match of the tournament.[99] After the U.S. finished at the top of their group, they were defeated during a penalty kick shootout by Sweden in the championship final.[19] 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Rapinoe (top) celebrates with her teammates after the United States scores a goal during the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup final. In 2010, Rapinoe started eight of the ten games she played and scored four goals with two assists.[19] Rapinoe scored against Sweden and China and twice against Guatemala at the 2010 CONCACAF Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament, in which she played three games.[19] After the United States finished third at the tournament, they traveled to Italy to vie for a place at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in the UEFA-CONCACAF play-off against Italy. During the team's second match of the series, Rapinoe served the assist for Amy Rodriguez's game-winning goal helping the United States earn a berth to the 2011 World Cup.[100] Rapinoe was named to the United States roster for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.[101] During the team's second group stage match against Colombia, she entered the match during the 50th minute and scored almost immediately to put the United States up 2–0.[102] Rapinoe celebrated her goal by running to the corner to the left of Colombia's goal, picking up an on-field microphone being used for the match's television broadcast, tapping it, and singing Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A." into it.[103] During the quarterfinal match against Brazil, Rapinoe came on as a substitute and served the precise cross to Abby Wambach's equalizer goal in the 122nd minute of the game: a goal that holds the record for latest goal ever scored in a World Cup match.[104] Rapinoe would later convert her shot during the penalty shootout to help send the United States to the semi-finals.[105] Rapinoe described her last minute cross against Brazil: "I just took a touch and friggin' smacked it with my left foot. I don't think I've hit a ball like that with my left foot. I got it to the back post and that beast in the air just got a hold of it."[106] Following the match against Brazil, Rapinoe was named ESPN's Next Level Player of the Week for completing 5 of 10 crosses while the rest of the team was 0 for 18.[107] She served an assist in the semi-final against France in which the United States won 3–1. During the dramatic final match against Japan in front of 48,817 spectators at sold-out Commerzbank-Arena in Frankfurt and a record-breaking international television audience,[108] Rapinoe served her third assist of the tournament to Alex Morgan who scored the game-opening goal in the 69th minute.[19] The United States tied Japan 2–2 during regular and overtime leading to their second penalty kick shootout of the tournament. They were defeated 3–1 in penalties and concluded the tournament with a silver medal. Rapinoe's tournament record included one goal and three assists.[109] She played in all six games for the United States.[19] 2012 London Olympics Rapinoe takes a corner kick in the gold medal match at the 2012 London Olympics. Rapinoe helped lead the United States to a gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. During the team's second group stage match against Colombia, she scored the game-winning goal in the 33rd minute in what became a 3–0 win for the Americans.[110] After the U.S. defeated North Korea 1–0 in their final group stage match, they faced New Zealand in the quarterfinals and won 2–0.[111] External video video icon The Olimpico Goal – Megan Rapinoe – 90 Seconds of the Olympics on YouTube During a dramatic semi-final match against Canada at Old Trafford, Rapinoe scored two game-equalizing goals in the 54th and 70th minutes. Her first goal was scored directly from a corner — a corner kick that goes untouched by another player into the net.[112][113] She is the first and so far only player, male or female, to score an Olimpico at the Olympic Games.[114] The U.S. defeated Canada 4–3 with a stoppage time goal in the 123rd minute by Alex Morgan.[115] With her two goals, Rapinoe is one of only five players, including Wei Haiying, Cristiane, Angela Hucles and Christine Sinclair, to have scored two goals during an Olympic semi-final.[116] Rapinoe after the gold medal match at 2012 Summer Olympics; August 9, 2012 The United States team clinched the gold medal after defeating Japan 2–1 at Wembley Stadium in front of 80,203 spectators — the largest crowd ever for a women's Olympic soccer game.[117] Rapinoe assisted on Carli Lloyd's second goal of the final in the 53rd minute.[118] She ended the tournament with three goals and a team-high of four assists (tied with Alex Morgan).[19] Widely regarded as one of the top players of the Olympics, Rapinoe was named to numerous 'Team of the Tournament' lists including those selected by the BBC[119] and All White Kit.[120] Rapinoe achieved a career-best 8 goals and 12 assists for the United States in 2012.[121] 2013–2014 At the 2013 Algarve Cup in Portugal, Rapinoe was named the Player of the Tournament, despite playing in only two of the four matches in which the United States competed. She was injured in practice and did not play during the final as the team defeated Germany to win the 2013 Algarve Cup.[122] Rapinoe battles for the ball during a match against New Zealand at Candlestick Park, 2013. During a friendly match against South Korea on June 20, 2013, Rapinoe served a corner kick that ended up being the assist for Abby Wambach's record-breaking 159th international goal. Wambach's goal broke the world record for most international goals scored by a male or female.[123][124] During a friendly match against New Zealand at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California, Rapinoe scored the game-opening goal on a direct free kick (her 23rd international goal) to help the U.S. win 4–1 and was named Player of the Match.[125] 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup In April 2015, Rapinoe was named to the roster for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada coached by national team head coach Jill Ellis.[126] During the team's first group stage match against Australia, she scored the game opening goal in the 12th minute.[127] She also scored a second goal in the 78th minute.[128] With an additional goal scored by teammate Christen Press in the 61st minute, the United States won 3–1.[129] During training for a Victory Tour match to celebrate the team's World Cup win in late 2015, Rapinoe tore her anterior cruciate ligament.[130] The national team game that she was training for was later cancelled due to poor field conditions.[131] 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup Rapinoe celebrates a goal with teammate Crystal Dunn, 2019 Rapinoe celebrates a goal with teammate Crystal Dunn, 2019. Rapinoe was named to the United States' 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup roster in May 2019; it was her third World Cup appearance.[132] In a 13–0 win over Thailand during the group stage of the tournament, she contributed a goal.[133] The United States advanced to the knockout stage, where they faced Spain. Rapinoe scored twice in a 2–1 victory that sent the U.S. to a quarterfinal matchup against the host country, France. In the fifth minute, Rapinoe scored on a free kick to give the United States an early lead. She later added a second goal, and the U.S. held on to earn a semi-final berth. Rapinoe was named Player of the Match by FIFA for her performances in the round of 16 and quarterfinals.[134] Because of an injured hamstring, Rapinoe was forced to sit out of the United States' semi-final victory over England, but she recovered in time to start in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup Final.[135] During the final on July 7 in front of a sold-out crowd of 57,900 fans at Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Rapinoe scored her 50th international goal on a penalty kick in the 61st minute.[136] After a second goal by teammate Rose Lavelle, the United States defeated the Netherlands 2–0 to clinch its second consecutive World Cup championship.[137] At age 34, Rapinoe was the oldest woman to score in a World Cup final and was named Player of the Match.[137] She was awarded the Golden Boot as the top scorer in the tournament with six goals, having played fewer minutes than her teammate Alex Morgan and England's Ellen White, who also recorded six goals.[138] Rapinoe also earned the Golden Ball award as the best player at the tournament.[139] 2020 Tokyo Olympics On August 5, 2021, she scored twice (including a second Olympic Olimpico) in a 4–3 win over Australia in the bronze medal match of the 2020 Summer Olympics.[140] 2022 SheBelievesCup In February 2022, U.S. women's national team coach, Vlatko Andonovski, announced that Rapinoe would not be included on the national team roster for the SheBelieves Cup.[141][142] Personal life Rapinoe has stated that she knew that she was a lesbian by her first year in college.[143] She publicly came out in the July 2012 edition of Out magazine, stating that she had been in a relationship with Australian soccer player Sarah Walsh since 2009.[143][144] After approximately five years together, Rapinoe and Walsh ended their relationship in 2013. Rapinoe later dated Sub Pop recording artist Sera Cahoone.[145] Rapinoe and Cahoone announced their engagement in August 2015.[146] In January 2017, Rapinoe stated that their wedding plans were on hold.[147] On July 20, 2017, Rapinoe and basketball player Sue Bird of Seattle Storm confirmed that they had been dating since late 2016.[148] In 2018, Bird and Rapinoe became the first same-sex couple on the cover of ESPN's The Body Issue.[149] The couple announced their engagement on October 30, 2020.[150] Speaking in an interview with Terry Gross on Fresh Air, Rapinoe discussed how her older brother, who was the first to inspire her to play soccer, had suffered with drug abuse. He has also spent periods of time in jail, including solitary confinement. Rapinoe explained that during his incarceration, her brother became involved with white supremacist groups within prison.[151] Activism Rapinoe speaks on equal pay in March 2021. Rapinoe garnered national attention for kneeling during the national anthem at an international match in September 2016 in solidarity with NFL Colin Kaepernick.[152][153][154] Following the match, she stated: It was a little nod to Kaepernick and everything that he's standing for right now. I think it's actually pretty disgusting the way he was treated and the way that a lot of the media has covered it and made it about something that it absolutely isn't. [...] Being a gay American, I know what it means to look at the flag and not have it protect all of your liberties. It was something small that I could do and something that I plan to keep doing in the future and hopefully spark some meaningful conversation around it.[155][156][154] During the 2015 World Cup, she stood in silence for the national anthem.[157] She spoke out against the use of stadiums with artificial turf, its first use in a senior women's or men's World Cup tournament.[158] Rapinoe has been involved in the women's team's equal pay complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission since at least 2016.[159] In March 2019, she, along with 27 of her US Women's soccer teammates filed a lawsuit against the United States Soccer Federation accusing it of gender discrimination,[160] hoping to achieve equal pay.[161] In May of the following year a judge dismissed key parts of the lawsuit including the complaint over receiving lower pay than the U.S. men's team but allowed other claims to move to trial.[162] Philanthropy Rapinoe has done philanthropic work for the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.[163][164][165] In 2013, she became an ambassador for Athlete Ally, a nonprofit organization that focuses on ending homophobia and transphobia in sports.[166] In September 2017, Rapinoe and U.S. teammate Alex Morgan were part of a group of soccer players who signed up for the "Common Goal" campaign created by Juan Mata of Manchester United. As participants in the campaign, players donate one percent of their individual wages in support of other soccer-related charities. Rapinoe and Morgan were the first two women players to sign on to the campaign.[167] Rapinoe was among several athletes to criticize the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade in June 2022.[168] She had been one of 500 former and current athletes signing an amicus brief supporting abortion rights for the Supreme Court case back in September 2021.[169][170] Endorsements Rapinoe has signed endorsement deals with Nike and Samsung.[171][172] She has appeared in multiple commercials for Nike throughout her career.[173][174] In 2013, she appeared in advertisements for the clothing company Wildfang and began a partnership with medical device company, DJO Global.[175][176] In 2016, she appeared in television commercials and print advertisements for Energy Brands' Vitamin Water.[177] The same year, she was featured in a Nike commercial starring Cristiano Ronaldo.[178] In 2019, she was sponsored by Procter & Gamble,[179] BodyArmor,[180] Hulu,[181] LUNA Bar,[182] and VISA.[183] In 2021, she was announced as one of the new faces of Victoria's Secret,[184] and appeared in ads for Subway.[185] Politics Rapinoe at the White House with President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and Margaret Purce in March 2021 In December 2019, Rapinoe endorsed Elizabeth Warren in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries.[186] During the opening night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, Rapinoe hosted a panel with frontline workers of the COVID-19 pandemic.[187] In popular culture Print media Rapinoe was featured on the cover of the March 2013 edition of Curve.[188] She was profiled on August 6, 2012, edition of Sports Illustrated,[189] and the July 2012 edition of Out.[190] The April 11, 2013, edition of The New York Times featured an article about her experiences in France, with the national team, and coming out publicly before the 2012 Olympics.[65] In July 2014, she was featured in the ESPN's The Body Issue.[191] In 2019, she became the first openly gay woman in the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.[192] She was featured on multiple covers of Sports Illustrated,[193][194] Marie Claire,[195] and InStyle[196] the same year. Television and film Rapinoe has made appearances on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,[197] The Today Show,[198] The Rachel Maddow Show,[199][200] Meet the Press,[201] Good Morning America,[202][203] and Jimmy Kimmel Live.[204][205] In 2012, she appeared in an ESPN feature called Title IX is Mine: USWNT.[206] She was the focus of a Fox Soccer feature, Fox Soccer Exclusive: Megan Rapinoe in November 2012.[207] In 2016, Rapinoe starred with teammates Hope Solo and Crystal Dunn in a docu-series called Keeping Score broadcast by Fullscreen.[208] The episodes follow the athletes as they prepare for the 2016 Rio Olympics and addresses issues such as equal pay and racism.[209] In February 2019, she was featured in Nike's "Dream Crazier" ad with Serena Williams, Simone Biles, Ibtihaj Muhammad, Chloe Kim, and other women athletes. The ad appeared during the 2019 Oscars.[210] In 2019, Rapinoe makes a cameo guest appearance on Showtime's The L Word: Generation Q.[211] In December 2020, it was reported that Rapinoe's bestselling memoir "One Life" is set to be adapted as a scripted TV series after Sony Pictures Television optioned the rights.[212] Video games Rapinoe was featured along with her national teammates in the EA Sports' FIFA video game series starting in FIFA 16, the first time women players were included in the game.[213] In September 2015, she was ranked by EA Sports as the No. 2 women's player following teammate Carli Lloyd.[214] Ticker tape parades, White House and Congressional honors, and a corn maze Rapinoe celebrates with the United States women's national team at the ticker tape parade in New York City, July 2015. Following the United States' win at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, Rapinoe and her teammates became the first women's sports team to be honored with a ticker tape parade in New York City.[215] Each player received a key to the city from Mayor Bill de Blasio.[216] In October of the same year, the team was honored by President Barack Obama at the White House,[217] and the president made note of the Northern California farm that had built a corn maze in the shape of Rapinoe's face.[218] Following the 2019 Women's World Cup, New York City honored the women's national team with a second ticker tape parade and were introduced by Robin Roberts at City Hall.[219] Rapinoe and her teammates were invited to the national capitol by Senator Chuck Schumer[220] and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley and Nancy Pelosi.[221][222] Fashion In 2020, Rapinoe signed a contract to be the spokeswoman for international luxury fashion brand Loewe.[223] National anthem See also: U.S. national anthem protests (2016–present) On September 4, 2016, during a game in Chicago against the Red Stars, Rapinoe knelt during the national anthem in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback who refused to stand during the anthem to protest racial injustice and minority oppression.[224][154] She said at the time she planned to continue to kneel.[225] Later that week on September 7, the Washington Spirit uncharacteristically played the national anthem prior to the teams taking the field, indicating that they did not want to "subject our fans and friends to the disrespect we feel such an act would represent". In an additional statement, the Spirit management said "to willingly allow anyone to hijack this tradition that means so much to millions of Americans and so many of our own fans for any cause would effectively be just as disrespectful as doing it ourselves." Rapinoe expressed displeasure with this move, saying, "it was incredibly distasteful, four days before one of the worst tragedies in our country, to say I tried to hijack this event."[226] She continued the protest on September 15, 2016, during the national team game against Thailand.[227] U.S. Soccer then issued a statement saying: "Representing your country is a privilege and honor for any player or coach that is associated with U.S. Soccer's National Teams. Therefore, our national anthem has particular significance for U.S. Soccer. In front of national and often global audiences, the playing of our national anthem is an opportunity for our Men's and Women's National Team players and coaches to reflect upon the liberties and freedom we all appreciate in this country. As part of the privilege to represent your country, we have an expectation that our players and coaches will stand and honor our flag while the national anthem is played."[228] In addressing the issue, Rapinoe stated in an interview that "using this blanketed patriotism as a defense against what the protest actually is was pretty cowardly", and further stated that she would probably never sing the national anthem again.[229] Autobiography In November 2020 Rapinoe published her autobiography, One Life (ISBN 1984881167) which details her early life, her career highlights and setbacks, her activism for racial and gender equality, and her personal relationships. The book became a New York Times best seller and was optioned by Sony Pictures Television.[212] Career statistics Club As of matches played October 1, 2021[58][230] Appearances and goals by club, season and competition Club Season League Cup Continental Total Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Chicago Red Stars 2009 WPS 18 2 — — 18 2 2010 20 1 — — 20 1 Total 38 3 — — 38 3 Philadelphia Independence 2011 WPS 4 1 — — 4 1 magicJack 2011 WPS 10 3 — — 10 3 Sydney 2011–12 W-League 2 1 — — 2 1 Seattle Sounders Women 2012 USL W-League 2 0 — — 2 0 Lyon (women) 2012–13 D1F 6 2 — 5 2 11 4 2013–14 8 3 — 4 1 12 4 Total 14 5 — 9 3 23 8 OL Reign 2013 NWSL 12 5 — — 12 5 2014 9 4 — 2 2 11 6 2015 10 5 — 2 1 12 6 2016 5 1 — — 5 1 2017 18 12 — — 18 12 2018 17 7 — — 17 7 2019 6 0 — — 6 0 2020[231] — — — — 2021 11 6 2 0 0 0 13 6 2022 14 7 1 0 0 0 15 7 Total 102 47 3 0 4 3 107 50 Career total 172 60 3 0 13 6 188 66 International goals As of November 10, 2022 List of international goals scored by Megan Rapinoe  No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1 2006-10-01[m 1] Carson, California Chinese Taipei 9–0 10–0 Friendly 2 10–0 3 2009-03-09[m 2] Ferreiras, Portugal Norway 1–0 1–0 2009 Algarve Cup 4 2009-05-25[m 3] Toronto, Canada Canada 2–0 4–0 Friendly 5 2010-07-17[m 4] Hartford, Connecticut Sweden 1–0 3–0 6 2010-10-02[m 5] Kennesaw, Georgia China 1–0 2–1 7 2010-10-30[m 6] Cancún, Mexico Guatemala 2–0 9–0 2010 World Cup qualifier 8 5–0 9 2011-03-02[m 7] Santo Antonio, Portugal Japan 2–0 2–1 2011 Algarve Cup 10 2011-04-02[m 8] London, England England 1–2 1–2 Friendly 11 2011-07-02[m 9] Sinsheim, Germany Colombia 2–0 3–0 2011 FIFA World Cup 12 2012-01-22[m 10] Vancouver, Canada Guatemala 11–0 13–0 2012 Olympic qualifier 13 2012-07-28[m 11] Glasgow, Scotland Colombia 1–0 3–0 2012 Summer Olympics 14 2012-08-06[m 12] Manchester, England Canada 1–1 4–3 aet 15 2–2 16 2012-09-01[m 13] Rochester, New York Costa Rica 1–0 8–0 Friendly 17 5–0 18 2012-12-01[m 14] Glendale, Arizona Ireland 2–0 2–0 19 2012-12-15[m 15] Boca Raton, Florida China 2–0 4–1 20 2013-02-13[m 16] Nashville, Tennessee Scotland 1–0 3–1 21 2013-03-08[m 17] Albufeira, Portugal China 3–0 5–0 2013 Algarve Cup 22 2013-04-05[m 18] Offenbach, Germany Germany 2–0 3–3 Friendly 23 2013-10-27[m 19] San Francisco, California New Zealand 1–0 4–1 note[n 1] 2014-02-13[m 20] Atlanta, Georgia Russia 5–0 8–0 24 2014-03-10[m 21] Albufeira, Portugal Denmark 3–4 3–5 2014 Algarve Cup 25 2014-04-06[m 22] Commerce City, Colorado China 2–0 2–0 Friendly 26 2014-08-20[m 23] Cary, North Carolina Switzerland 1–0 4–1 27 2014-09-19[m 24] Rochester, New York Mexico 2–0 4–0 28 2014-10-17[m 25] Chicago, Illinois Guatemala 5–0 5–0 2014 World Cup qualifier 29 2014-12-14[m 26] Brasília, Brazil Brazil 2–0 2–3 2014 Tournament of Brasilia 30 2015-06-08[m 27] Winnipeg, Canada Australia 1–0 3–1 2015 FIFA World Cup 31 3–1 32 2017-07-31[m 28] San Diego, California Brazil 3–3 4–3 2017 Tournament of Nations 33 2017-08-03[m 29] Carson, California Japan 1–0 3–0 34 2017-10-19[m 30] New Orleans, Louisiana South Korea 3–1 3–1 Friendly 35 2018-03-02[m 31] Columbus, Ohio Germany 1–0 1–0 2018 SheBelieves Cup 36 2018-04-08[m 32] Houston, Texas Mexico 5–2 6–2 Friendly 37 2018-06-12[m 33] Cleveland, Ohio China 1–0 2–1 38 2018-07-26 Kansas City, Kansas Japan 4–1 4–2 2018 Tournament of Nations 39 2018-10-04[m 34] Cary, North Carolina Mexico 4–0 6–0 2018 CONCACAF Championship 40 5–0 41 2018-10-14[m 35] Frisco, Texas Jamaica 2–0 6–0 42 2019-02-27[m 36] Chester, Pennsylvania Japan 1–0 2–2 2019 SheBelieves Cup 43 2019-03-02[m 37] Nashville, Tennessee England 1–0 2–2 44 2019-04-04[m 38] Commerce City, Colorado Australia 3–2 5–3 Friendly 45 2019-06-11[m 39] Reims, France Thailand 9–0 13–0 2019 FIFA World Cup 46 2019-06-24[m 40] Spain 1–0 2–1 47 2–1 48 2019-06-28 Paris, France France 1–0 2–1 49 2–0 50 2019-07-07 Lyon, France Netherlands 1–0 2–0 51 2020-02-09[m 41] Carson, California Canada 3–0 3–0 2020 Olympic qualifier 52 2020-03-11[m 42] Frisco, Texas Japan 1–0 3–1 2020 SheBelieves Cup 53 2021-01-22[m 43] Orlando, Florida Colombia 2–0 6–0 Friendly 54 3–0 55 2021-02-21[m 44] Brazil 2–0 2–0 2021 SheBelieves Cup 56 2021-02-24 Argentina 1–0 6–0 57 2–0 58 2021-04-10[m 45] Stockholm, Sweden Sweden 1–1 1–1 Friendly 59 2021-04-13[m 46] Le Havre, France France 1–0 2–0 60 2021-08-05[m 47] Kashima, Japan Australia 1–0 4–3 2020 Summer Olympics 61 2–1 62 2021-10-26[m 48] Saint Paul, Minnesota South Korea 4–0 6–0 Friendly 63 2022-11-10[m 49] Fort Lauderdale, Florida Germany 1–1 1–2 Note  This goal was initially credited to Rapinoe in the match report. It has since been added to Morgan Brian's total and removed from Rapinoe's total. Honors Lyon Division 1 Féminine: 2012–13 Coupe de France Féminine: 2012–13 OL Reign (formerly Seattle Reign FC) NWSL Shield: 2014, 2015, 2022[232] The Women's Cup: 2022[233] United States FIFA Women's World Cup: 2015,[234] 2019[137] Olympic Gold Medal: 2012[235] Olympic Bronze Medal: 2021[140] Algarve Cup: 2011, 2013,[236] 2015[237] CONCACAF Women's Championship: 2014, 2018,[238] 2022[239] SheBelieves Cup: 2018,[240] 2020,[m 42] 2021,[241] 2023[242] Tournament of Nations: 2018[243] CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament: 2020[m 41] Individual Algarve Cup MVP: 2013[236] NWSL Player of the Week: 2013 Week 16,[244] 2015 Week 1,[245] 2017 Week 11, 2017 Week 14, 2018 Week 1,[246] 2018 Week 7[247] NWSL Second XI: 2013, 2015,[248] 2017,[249] 2019 NWSL Best XI: 2018[250] IFFHS World's Best Woman Playmaker: 2019[251] IFFHS Women's World Team: 2019[252] The Best FIFA Women's Player: 2019[253] FIFA Women's World Cup Golden Ball: 2019[254] FIFA Women's World Cup Golden Boot: 2019[254] FIFPro World XI: 2019,[255] 2020[256] FIFA Women's World Cup Final Player of the Match: 2019[257] Ballon d'Or Féminin: 2019[258] IFFHS CONCACAF Woman Team of the Decade 2011–2020[259] Media ESPY Award - Best Team (2015, 2019 as a member of the U.S. Women's National Team) Awards and recognition Rapinoe poses with the national team and President Barack Obama at the White House, 2015. Rapinoe awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden in July 2022 Following the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, Rapinoe's hometown of Redding honored her with a parade and named September 10 "Megan Rapinoe Day".[260] She received the Harry Glickman Professional Female Athlete of the Year award at the 60th annual Oregon Sports Awards held on February 12, 2012.[261] On October 25, 2012, she was one of ten female soccer players shortlisted for the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year award.[262] The same year, she was named a finalist for Sports Illustrated's Most Inspiring Performers of 2012.[263] Rapinoe was awarded the board of directors Award by the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center on November 10, 2012, for bringing awareness to LGBT people in sports.[264][265] In March 2013, Rapinoe was named Player of the Tournament at the 2013 Algarve Cup, which the U.S. won. She tallied a goal and assist in two games played.[236] After scoring two goals and serving one assist during a 4–1 win over the Chicago Red Stars on July 25, 2013, she was named NWSL Player of the Week by the media for Week 16 of the 2013 NWSL season.[244] In December 2014, Rapinoe was inducted into the Shasta County Sports Hall of Fame along with several other athletes from Shasta County including Ryan O'Callaghan and Ricky Ray.[266][267] In 2015, she was inducted into the National Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame.[268] Also in 2015, she was named NWSL Player of the Week for Week 1 of the 2015 NWSL season.[245] In 2019, Rapinoe won the Golden Boot (the second American to do so after Michelle Akers in 1999)[269] and Golden Ball awards at the Women's World Cup in France.[270] The same year, she was Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of the Year[13] and was named The Best FIFA Women's Player[271] In 2020, Rapinoe won the Best in Sports Shorty Award.[272] On July 1, 2022, the White House announced that Rapinoe would be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.[273] On July 7, 2022, Rapinoe was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest honor given to civilians, by President Joe Biden in a ceremony at the White House; she was among a group of 17 honorees that included Simone Biles.[274][273] See also icon Women's association football portal Sports portal LGBT portal Olympic Games portal Biography portal icon Association football portal List of Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients List of FIFA Women's World Cup winning players List of Olympic medalists in soccer List of soccer players with 100 or more caps List of LGBT sportspeople The 100 Best Female Footballers in the World List of OL Reign players List of foreign W-League (Australia) players List of foreign Division 1 Féminine players List of most expensive association football transfers List of Nike sponsorships Timeline of the gender pay gap in sports List of University of Portland alumni List of Golden Scarf recipients List of Victoria's Secret models The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is a professional women's soccer league at the top of the United States league system. Headquartered in New York City,[1] it is owned by the teams and, until 2020, was under a management contract with the United States Soccer Federation.[2] The NWSL was established in 2012 as the successor to Women's Professional Soccer (WPS; 2007–2012), which was itself the successor to Women's United Soccer Association (2001–2003). The league began play in 2013 with eight teams, four of which were former members of WPS (Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, Sky Blue FC, and Western New York Flash).[3][4][5] As of 2022, it has 12 teams across the United States.[6][7] As of May 7, 2022, five teams have been crowned NWSL Champions, awarded to the playoff winner; four teams have claimed the NWSL Shield, awarded to the team in first place at the end of the regular season; and three teams have been champions of the NWSL Challenge Cup, an annual league cup tournament that began in 2020. The current (2022) NWSL champions are the Portland Thorns FC, and the current shield winners (2022) are Seattle-based team OL Reign. The current (2022) Challenge Cup champions are the North Carolina Courage. Competition format As of 2023, the NWSL season runs from March to October, with the NWSL Challenge Cup tournament taking place alongside the season from April to September, and a playoff tournament occurring after the season ending on November 11. Each team is scheduled for 22 regular-season games in a home-and-away, double round-robin format.[8] At the end of the regular season, the team with the highest point total is awarded the NWSL Shield. The six teams with the most points from the regular season qualify for the playoffs, with the top two teams receiving a first-round bye;[9] the higher-seeded teams would host single knockout matches, with the semifinal winners advancing to the championship final played at a predetermined site. The current playoff format began in 2021.[9] Prior to 2021, the playoffs included only four teams.[10] The number of regular-season matches had also fluctuated between 20 and 24 in past seasons,[11] and in 2021 and 2022 the Challenge Cup was a preseason tournament instead of running concurrently with the regular season.[12] History Founding After Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) officially folded in April 2012, the United States Soccer Federation (US Soccer) announced a roundtable for discussion of the future of women's professional soccer in the United States. The meeting, which included representatives from US Soccer, WPS teams, the W-League (ceased operation in 2015), and the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL), was held in June. By November, after much discussion, owners from the Chicago Red Stars, Boston Breakers and US Soccer recruited an additional six teams. Compared to WPS, the teams would intentionally operate at a lower cost structure and manage growth in a sustainable way.[13][14] In November 2012, it was announced that there would be eight teams in a new women's professional soccer league that was yet to be named at the time of the announcement, with national team players subsidized by US Soccer, the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and the Mexican Football Federation (FMF). The three federations would pay for the salaries of their national team players (24 from the US, 16 from Canada, and 12 to 16 from Mexico) to aid the teams in creating world-class rosters while staying under the salary cap. The players would be distributed evenly (as possible) among the eight teams in an allocation process. The teams would own the league, and the league would contract US Soccer to manage league operations.[15] After the 2020 season, the league terminated its management contract with US Soccer.[2] On November 29, 2012, it was announced that Cheryl Bailey had been named executive director in the new league. Bailey had previously served as general manager of the United States women's national soccer team from 2007 to 2011, which included leading the support staff for the U.S. team during the 2007 and 2011 FIFA Women's World Cups, as well as the 2008 Summer Olympics. During her tenure with the women's national team, she was in charge of all areas of administration including interfacing with clubs, team travel, payroll, and working with FIFA, CONCACAF, and other federations.[16] Nike, Inc. was selected as league sponsor, providing apparel to all teams as well as the game ball.[17] Early years The first NWSL game was held on April 13, 2013, as the Portland Thorns visited FC Kansas City, playing to a 1–1 draw in front of a crowd of 6,784 fans at Shawnee Mission District Stadium. Renae Cuellar scored the first goal in league history.[18][19] The 2013 season saw regular-season attendance average of 4,270, with a high of 17,619 on August 4 for Kansas City at Portland.[20][21] The NWSL became the first U.S. professional women's soccer league to reach nine teams with the addition of Houston Dash, backed by Major League Soccer (MLS) team Houston Dynamo, in 2014; expansion interest, particularly from MLS and USL teams, has continued.[22][23] The third season saw a shortened schedule and some early-season roster instability due to the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada, but the World Cup also provided exposure to the NWSL, which was credited with boosting attendance numbers across the league.[22] At the 2022 NWSL Championship, the league recognized some of the players who had competed in the league for all ten years of its existence. The league also became the first professional women's league in the US to play more than three seasons when the league kicked off its fourth season in 2016.[24] Response to COVID-19 pandemic The 2020 season was initially postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and later canceled. Instead the league played the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup, a special competition hosted in the Salt Lake City region with no spectators. The cup began in late June, making the NWSL the first major U.S. team sports league to return to play.[25] The league was the recipient of a federal loan through the Paycheck Protection Program, which it used to compensate players before the competition was able to begin.[26] Later that year the league also played the NWSL Fall Series, a set of 18 games between teams within geographically restricted regions. Teams Current teams National Women's Soccer League is located in the United StatesAngel CityAngel CityBayBayRed StarsRed StarsDashDashCurrentCurrentGothamGothamCourageCourageReignReignPridePrideThornsThornsRacingRacingWaveWaveRoyalsRoyalsSpiritSpirit Locations of National Women's Soccer League teams. Blue pog.svg Current club; Red pog.svg future club The 12 NWSL teams are spread across the United States. Each club is allowed a minimum of 20 players on their roster, with a maximum of 22 players (26 when including supplemental players) allowed at any time during the season.[27] Originally, each team's roster included up to three allocated American national team players, up to two allocated Mexico women's national team players, and up to two allocated Canadian national team players via the NWSL Player Allocation and subsequent trades.[28] In addition, each team has four spots each season available for international players; these spots may be traded to other teams.[29] The remaining roster spots must be filled by domestic players from the United States. Teams fill their rosters via a number of drafts and 4–6 discovery player signings.[27] Mexico no longer allocates players to the NWSL, having established its own women's league in 2017, and the numbers of allocated players and international players on each team vary each year due to trades. Effective with the 2022 season, the player allocation system has been abolished.[30] Of the 12 teams that will contest the 2023 season, three are affiliated with men's Major League Soccer teams, two are affiliated with men's teams of the United Soccer League, one is affiliated with a French Ligue 1 team (as well as its women's counterpart in the Division 1 Féminine),[31] and six are independent. National Women's Soccer League Team Location Stadium[a] Surface Capacity[b] Founded Joined Head coach Men's affiliate Angel City FC Los Angeles, California BMO Stadium Grass 22,000 2020 2022 Freya Coombe — Chicago Red Stars Bridgeview, Illinois SeatGeek Stadium Grass 20,000 2006 2013 Chris Petrucelli — Houston Dash Houston, Texas Shell Energy Stadium Grass 7,000[c] 2013 2014 Sam Laity Houston Dynamo FC (MLS) Kansas City Current[d] Kansas City, Kansas Children's Mercy Park Grass 18,467 2020 2021 Caroline Sjöblom (interim) — NJ/NY Gotham FC[e] Harrison, New Jersey Red Bull Arena Grass 25,000 2007 2013 Juan Carlos Amorós — North Carolina Courage Cary, North Carolina WakeMed Soccer Park Grass 10,000 2017 2017 Sean Nahas North Carolina FC (USL1) OL Reign[f] Seattle, Washington Lumen Field FieldTurf 10,000[g] 2012 2013 Laura Harvey Olympique Lyonnais (Ligue 1) Orlando Pride Orlando, Florida Exploria Stadium Grass 25,500 2015 2016 Seb Hines Orlando City SC (MLS) Portland Thorns FC Portland, Oregon Providence Park FieldTurf 25,218 2012 2013 Mike Norris Portland Timbers (MLS) Racing Louisville FC Louisville, Kentucky Lynn Family Stadium Grass 15,304[h] 2019 2021 Kim Björkegren Louisville City FC (USLC) San Diego Wave FC San Diego, California Snapdragon Stadium Grass 32,000 2021 2022 Casey Stoney — Washington Spirit Washington, D.C. Audi Field Grass 20,000 2012 2013 Mark Parsons —  Stadiums are those expected to be used in the 2023 season.  All listed capacities are full capacities unless otherwise noted and do not reflect potential COVID-19 restrictions.  Shell Energy Stadium has a capacity of 22,039 but seating is restricted to 7,000 for Dash games.[32]  Known as Kansas City NWSL in 2021.  Known as Sky Blue FC from 2013 to 2020.  Known as Seattle Reign FC from 2013 to 2018 and Reign FC in 2019.  Lumen Field has a capacity of 68,740; standard configuration for Reign games seats 10,000 but can expand based on demand for individual games.[33]  Full capacity includes safe standing area for supporters' groups; seated capacity is 11,700. Future teams Team Location Stadium Surface Capacity Founded Joining Head coach Men's affiliate Bay FC TBA TBA TBA TBA 2023 2024[34] vacant — Utah Royals FC Sandy, Utah America First Field Grass 20,213 2017 2024[35] Amy Rodriguez[36] Real Salt Lake (MLS) Former teams Team Location Stadium[a] Surface Capacity Founded Joined Last NWSL season Boston Breakers Boston, Massachusetts Jordan Field FieldTurf 4,000 2007 2013 2017[37] FC Kansas City Kansas City, Missouri Swope Soccer Village Grass 3,557 2012 2013 2017[38] Western New York Flash Rochester, New York Sahlen's Stadium FieldTurf 13,000 2008 2013 2016[39]  Stadiums are those used in their last NWSL season. Membership timeline Expansion Main article: NWSL expansion Soon after launch, the league reportedly planned to expand to ten teams for 2014.[40] Potential candidates included groups not accepted as part of the original eight; groups from the Los Angeles area (joint effort from the LA Strikers and Pali Blues)[41] and from Hartford, Connecticut,[42] were confirmed failed bids, as was one from the Seattle Sounders Women. There was speculation that the Vancouver Whitecaps Women could be logical candidates especially given the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada; however, the Whitecaps shuttered their women's program (except for one U-18 academy team) in December 2012. During the inaugural season, there were rumors of expansion interest from MLS teams Toronto FC,[43] Vancouver Whitecaps FC,[44] and the New York Red Bulls,[45] as well as confirmed interest from WPSL side the Houston Aces.[46] NWSL team owners hinted that expansion for 2014 was not a question of "if" but "how many".[47][48] Despite this, it was announced during the playoffs that there would be no expansion for the league's second season,[49] though the Red Bulls and Sky Blue FC confirmed that they were in discussions for cooperation.[47][50] During the first offseason, the Houston Dynamo added their name to the list of MLS teams interested in fielding a women's side, stating that they were "exploring the opportunity" of starting an NWSL side in 2014 or '15[51] and in 2013 they announced the Houston Dash with 2014 as their inaugural season.[52] By early December, NWSL approved a new team run by the Dynamo organization for expansion in 2014,[53] despite their earlier statement that there would be no expansion for the league's second season. During the second offseason, expansion talk grew rapidly, with three established men's teams (Real Salt Lake of MLS, the Indy Eleven of NASL, and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of USL Pro) expressing interest in joining NWSL, as well as an unattached group from Atlanta. There was also rumored or suggested interest from three men's teams in California, though none of those groups made official statements. Despite this interest, it was announced in late April 2015 that there would be no expansion for the 2016 season. However, after the well-publicized success of the US Women's National soccer team, renewed interest in NWSL expansion caused reports from the owners' meeting that "a new team in 2016 has not been ruled out", with potential expansion news to be revealed within a month.[54] Commissioner Jeff Plush said that over a dozen interested groups had contacted the league in the post-World-Cup weeks; MLS team Orlando City SC was one of the first newly interested groups made public.[55][56][57] On October 20, 2015, it was announced that Orlando would be hosting the 10th NWSL team, the Orlando Pride, due to start the 2016 season.[58] At that announcement, the Pride announced that they had hired former U.S. National Women's Team coach Tom Sermanni. On November 16, 2017, it was announced that Real Salt Lake would expand into the NWSL beginning in the 2018 season. The Salt Lake City team, shortly thereafter unveiled as Utah Royals FC, is officially considered a new franchise that replaced FC Kansas City. The NWSL announced on October 22, 2019, that a team in Louisville, Kentucky, affiliated with the city's USL Championship side Louisville City FC, would join the league in 2021. The team was originally to be named Proof Louisville FC,[59] but after significant disapproval from fans it was announced that the Proof Louisville FC branding would not necessarily be the final selection, and that the process to determine the team's identity would be restarted.[60] On July 8, 2020, the Louisville team was rebranded as Racing Louisville FC,[61] and its associated visual identity was announced on the same day.[62] Racing plays in Lynn Family Stadium, which opened in 2020 as the new home of Louisville City.[63] On July 21, 2020, the NWSL announced that a Los Angeles-based team will begin play in 2022.[64] The team's ownership group, who call themselves "Angel City," is led by president and founder Julie Uhrman, a media and gaming entrepreneur; co-founders Natalie Portman, an Oscar-winning actress, and venture capitalist Kara Nortman; venture capitalist Alexis Ohanian as lead founding investor;[65] and additional investors including fourteen former USWNT members, most with ties to Southern California; actresses Uzo Aduba, Jessica Chastain, America Ferrera, Jennifer Garner, and Eva Longoria; talk show host Lilly Singh; and Ohanian's wife, tennis great Serena Williams.[64] In 2022, the Los Angeles NWSL team will be the first American professional sports team founded by a majority-woman ownership group to begin play,[66] and co-founders Portman, Nortman, and Uhrman have publicly discussed their ownership stakes extensively as one way to address gender inequity in sports and to encourage additional investment by women into women's sports.[67][68][69] On October 21, 2020, the ownership group announced that the expansion club would be called Angel City FC and announced more group members, among them tennis great Billie Jean King, WNBA star Candace Parker, alpine skiing great Lindsey Vonn and her fiancé at the time, NHL star P. K. Subban, actress and activist Sophia Bush, Latin music pop star Becky G, actor and TV host James Corden, and former US men's soccer international Cobi Jones.[70] On December 7, 2020, the NWSL announced that an expansion team in Kansas City would join the league in 2021 and take over player-related assets from the Utah Royals FC.[71] The Royals ceased operations at the same time, but the new owners of Utah Soccer LLC (after Dell Loy Hansen completes the sale) would have the option of re-establishing the Royals franchise in 2023.[72] The team played under the placeholder name of Kansas City NWSL in the 2021 season, announcing its permanent identity of Kansas City Current immediately before its final home game of that season on October 30.[73] On January 12, 2021, then-NWSL commissioner Lisa Baird shared in a press conference that an expansion team in Sacramento would join the league in 2022, but that the team ownership would make the official announcement in due course.[74] A team announcement never materialized, however.[75] In May 2021, it was reported that the ownership group behind the Sacramento expansion would be seeking NWSL approval to move its expansion rights to San Diego instead.[76] On June 8, 2021, the NWSL officially announced a San Diego expansion team, ultimately named San Diego Wave FC, with former United States women's national soccer team head coach Jill Ellis as president.[77][78] In late 2022, it was reported the likely 13th expansion club would be in Utah, as the new Real Salt Lake ownership had the rights to an approximately $2 million expansion franchise fee to bring back the Utah Royals to the Salt Lake City Area. In addition the three finalists for the 14th expansion club were a group from the San Francisco Bay Area, Tampa, and Boston. It is thought these teams would join for the 2024 season. The highest bid was reported to be $40 million.[79] On January 27, 2023, it was reported that the NWSL would expand to Utah, San Francisco and Boston. The owners in Utah would pay $2–5 million, while the groups in San Francisco and Boston would pay $50 million. Utah and San Francisco would join the NWSL in 2024 and Boston would join the NWSL later.[80] On March 11, 2023, it was confirmed that the Utah team would join in 2024, inheriting the Utah Royals FC name and history.[81] Organization Stadiums and attendance Main articles: List of National Women's Soccer League stadiums and National Women's Soccer League attendance In the 2023 season, every NWSL team will use one stadium as its primary home venue after the Washington Spirit reached an agreement to play all home games at Audi Field.[82] The highest attendance in the league's history was on September 17, 2022, for San Diego Wave FC's opening game at the new Snapdragon Stadium against Angel City FC, which drew a sellout crowd of 32,000.[83] This broke both of the league's previous single-game attendance records—the absolute record of 27,278 for OL Reign's match against the visiting Portland Thorns FC as part of a doubleheader with Seattle Sounders FC of MLS at Lumen Field,[84] and the record for a standalone match (not part of a doubleheader with a men's team) of 25,218, achieved on August 11, 2019, at Portland's Providence Park in a game between the Thorns and the visiting North Carolina Courage.[85] As of October 17, 2022, Angel City FC and Portland Thorns FC have respectively hosted four and three of the ten most-attended regular-season matches in league history (including ties for 10th), with the other four being San Diego Wave FC's Snapdragon Stadium opener, two doubleheader games hosted by OL Reign and Chicago Red Stars respectively, and Orlando Pride's first-ever home game in 2016.[86] Squad formation and salaries In each season, teams receive a salary cap that limits their total spending on players. Before the 2022 season, salaries of federation players were paid for completely or mostly by their respective national federations, and they counted against the salary cap at a pre-determined amount—$33,000 for U.S. players, and $27,500 or the actual salary for Canadian players, whichever is lower.[87] Non-federation players are subject to minimum and maximum salary limits.[88] Each team provides fully paid healthcare for its players, and also provides housing, either directly or through a stipend of no more than $3,000 per month. In addition, teams are allowed to provide their players with the use of a car valued at no more than $50,000. These expenses are specifically excluded from cap calculations.[88] In 2019, the maximum senior roster size was expanded to 22 and the minimum to 20, with an additional four supplemental spots for players earning minimum salary that do not count against the salary cap.[89] As of 2021, the minimum senior roster size is 22 and the maximum 24, so each team could carry a maximum total of 28 players on its active roster.[88] The NWSL introduced significant changes to its compensation guidelines before the 2020 season.[90] In addition to a sizable increase in the salary cap and the salary limits for unallocated players, teams now can purchase up to $300,000 in "allocation money" in excess of the salary cap to invest in qualified current or future players; allocation money can be traded.[91] Multi-year contracts (up to three years plus one option year) are now permitted, year-round housing becomes mandatory, and the cap for permitted team assistance has been removed. When originally announced, allocation money could not be used to supplement the salaries of U.S. or Canadian federation players, and players could not refuse federation status to access allocation money. The allocation rules were quietly changed in advance of the 2020 season to allow players to refuse federation status, but this change did not become public knowledge until after the end of the abbreviated season. In the 2021 season, clubs were explicitly allowed to use allocation money to sign federation players.[92] In 2021, salary for unallocated players and the team salary cap both increased between 5 and 10 percent.[87] On December 13, 2021, as part of negotiations between U.S. Soccer and the union representing USWNT players, both agreed to end the allocation system for USWNT members, effective with the 2022 season. Starting in that season, the club salaries of all USWNT players will be paid directly by their NWSL clubs, and these players will be represented in their club employment by the NWSL Players Association (NWSLPA).[93] The NWSL and the NWSLPA, the union representing all players in the NWSL, jointly announced on January 31, 2022, that they had entered into the league's first official collective bargaining agreement, which will run through the 2026 season. Under this agreement, the minimum player salary increased to $35,000 in the 2022 season. Free agency will formally be added; players with six seasons of NWSL service will become unrestricted free agents in 2023, with the required service time reduced to five seasons from 2024. Additionally, starting in 2024, players with three seasons of NWSL service will receive restricted free agency. Also, should the league become profitable in any season from 2024 to 2026, the players will receive 10 percent of the league's broadcast revenues in the applicable season.[94][95] On August 25, 2022, the NWSLPA filed a grievance against the NWSL after the league announced the omission of 22 players from a list of 26 who would become eligible to negotiate free-agent contracts for the 2023 season. The league contended that the contracts of the 22 omitted players included one or more option years that each player's club must first decline to exercise by the deadline of November 15 before the player would be eligible for free agency. The players association contended that the contracts expired on their expiration date, and not the option exercise deadline. The players association expected the league to deny the grievance, and for the dispute to enter arbitration.[96][97] Season Salary cap Salary limits (for players ineligible for allocation money) Allocation money Minimum Maximum 2013 $200,000 $6,000 $30,000 N/A 2014 $265,000 $6,600 $31,500 2015 $6,842 $37,800 2016 $278,000 $7,200 $39,700 2017 $315,000 $15,000 $41,700 2018 $350,000 $15,750 $44,000 2019 $421,500 $16,538 $46,200 2020 $650,000 $20,000 $50,000 $300,000 2021 $682,500 $22,000 $52,500 $400,000 2022 $1,100,000 $35,000 $75,000 $500,000 2023[98] $1,375,000 $36,400 $200,000[a] $600,000 All currency amounts are in United States dollars.  The league's definition changed from maximum salary to "cap charge" in 2023, defined as "adding the Player's base salary to any additional compensation" in the player's contract, "which includes performance bonus, roster bonus, agent fees, and excess benefits and/or excess Permitted Team Assistance costs".[98] Players' union Main article: National Women's Soccer League Players Association Active non-United States federation players, including unpaid amateur players, announced their formation of the NWSL Players Association (NWSLPA) on May 15, 2017, as the first step toward forming a union. The NWSL recognized the NWSLPA as the players' union on November 15, 2018.[99] As of February 2022, the NWSLPA is led by civil rights attorney and former WPS players' union organizer Meghann Burke.[100] Prior to the 2022 season, the NWSLPA membership did not include United States federation players because those players were contracted to the US Soccer Federation for their NWSL play.[101][102][103] With the abolition of the federation player system for 2022 and beyond, the NWSLPA now represents all players in the NWSL. The league and the NWSLPA entered into their first collective bargaining agreement in advance of that season.[94] League competitions Championship and shield See also: NWSL Playoffs and NWSL Shield The winner of the NWSL Championship, the final match of the NWSL Playoffs, determines that season's NWSL champion. In addition to receiving the championship trophy, the champion gets to add a star to the crest on its jersey. The playoffs, a single-elimination knockout tournament, are organized by the league in a format similar to other North American professional sports leagues. At the conclusion of the regular season, the top six teams in the standings earn a berth to the tournament;[9] prior to 2021, only the top four teams qualified for the playoffs. The league also awards the NWSL Shield to the team with the best record (most points) at the end of the regular season. Like the playoff championship, it is recognized as a major trophy by the league. The first NWSL Championship was played on September 1, 2013.[104] As of October 2022, five teams have been crowned NWSL Champions: Portland Thorns FC (3), FC Kansas City (2), North Carolina Courage (2), Washington Spirit (1), and Western New York Flash (1). Four teams have claimed the NWSL Shield: North Carolina Courage (3), OL Reign (3), Portland Thorns FC (2), and Western New York Flash (1). The Reign were the first team to repeat as Shield winners in 2014 and 2015, and FC Kansas City were the first team to win consecutive championships in the same years, both times defeating the Reign.[105] In 2018, the North Carolina Courage became the first team to win both the NWSL Shield and the NWSL Championship in the same season, a feat they repeated in 2019.[106] The trophies won by FC Kansas City and Western New York officially remain with those teams and were not transferred to the expansion or successor teams in Utah and North Carolina that were assigned their player-related assets. This was a non-issue for Utah Royals FC, which won no trophies before folding and having its player-related assets transferred to the franchise now known as the Kansas City Current.[107][108] Season NWSL champions Playoff winners NWSL Shield Regular-season winners Championship location Championship attendance Ref. 2013 Portland Thorns FC Western New York Flash Sahlen's Stadium, Rochester, New York 9,129 [109] 2014 FC Kansas City Seattle Reign FC Starfire Sports Complex, Tukwila, Washington 4,252 [110] 2015 FC Kansas City (2) Seattle Reign FC (2) Providence Park, Portland, Oregon 13,264 [111] 2016 Western New York Flash Portland Thorns FC BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, Texas 8,255 [112] 2017 Portland Thorns FC (2) North Carolina Courage Orlando City Stadium, Orlando, Florida 8,124 [113] 2018 North Carolina Courage North Carolina Courage (2) Providence Park, Portland, Oregon 21,144 [114] 2019 North Carolina Courage (2) North Carolina Courage (3) Sahlen's Stadium, Cary, North Carolina 10,227 [115] 2020 Canceled [116] 2021 Washington Spirit Portland Thorns FC (2) Lynn Family Stadium, Louisville, Kentucky 10,360 [117] 2022 Portland Thorns FC (3) OL Reign (3) Audi Field, Washington, D.C. 17,624 [118] Championship records Italics indicates a defunct team. Club Won Runner-up Years won Years runner-up Portland Thorns FC 3 1 2013, 2017, 2022 2018 North Carolina Courage 2 1 2018, 2019 2017 FC Kansas City 2 0 2014, 2015 Washington Spirit 1 1 2021 2016 Western New York Flash 1 1 2016 2013 Chicago Red Stars 0 2 2019, 2021 OL Reign 0 2 2014, 2015 Kansas City Current 0 1 2022 Challenge Cup Main article: NWSL Challenge Cup In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the regular season from starting. Instead the league played the newly announced Challenge Cup, a tournament-style competition, starting in late June, with all teams in a protective bubble in Salt Lake City. This made the NWSL the first professional team sport in the U.S. to restart during the pandemic.[119][120] The Houston Dash won the inaugural Challenge Cup, topping the Chicago Red Stars in the final.[121] In November 2020, the NWSL announced that the Challenge Cup would become an annual league cup competition.[9] The 2021 Challenge Cup was played in April and May prior to the regular season, with the Portland Thorns FC emerging as victors over NJ/NY Gotham FC in the final.[122][123] The 2022 Challenge Cup was played from March to May of that year and was won by the North Carolina Courage. Season Challenge Cup champions Runners-up Final location Ref. 2020 Houston Dash Chicago Red Stars Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, Utah [121] 2021 Portland Thorns FC NJ/NY Gotham FC Providence Park, Portland, Oregon [123] 2022 North Carolina Courage Washington Spirit Sahlen's Stadium, Cary, North Carolina Fall Series Main article: NWSL Fall Series In September and October 2020, the league played the Fall Series, in which the nine teams were divided into three geographic "pods" to minimize travel during the COVID-19 pandemic; each team played a home-and-away round-robin within its pod.[124] The Portland Thorns earned 12 points, the maximum possible, and won the Fall Series and the associated trophy, the Community Shield (named Verizon Community Shield for sponsorship reasons).[125] Season Community Shield 2020 Portland Thorns FC Broadcasting The NWSL increased the number and quality of cameras used for matches during the 2022 season. Further information: National Women's Soccer League on television During the 2013–2016 seasons, the majority of league games were available for viewing via YouTube or via individual team's websites.[126] Of the eight teams in the league during the inaugural season, the Boston Breakers were the only team that charged a fee for access to their broadcasts.[127] On April 18, 2013, NWSL signed a one-year agreement with Fox Sports 2 to televise six regular season games, the semifinal, and championship games.[128] On May 28, 2014, the NWSL signed a one-year agreement with ESPN to televise nine games of the 2014 NWSL season. The matches included three regular season and three playoff matches on ESPN2, as well as 3 regular season games live-streamed on ESPN3.[129] On June 30, 2015, the NWSL announced a one-year agreement with Fox Sports once more to cover ten matches. Three regular season and three playoff matches were televised on FS1, and four live-streamed on Fox Sports Go.[130] The agreement was extended into 2016 under another one-year contract, covering three regular season matches and the three playoff matches, once again on FS1.[131] 2017–2019: Lifetime and go90, ESPN On February 2, 2017, the NWSL announced a three-year agreement with A&E Networks, in which the Lifetime network broadcast 22 regular-season matches as the NWSL Game of the Week at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday afternoons, as well as three post-season matches. This marked the first time that the NWSL had a weekly broadcast window throughout the entire season. As part of the deal, A&E Networks purchased a 25 percent equity stake in the NWSL and were granted two seats on the league's board. The company also formed a joint venture with the league known as NWSL Media to oversee the league's marketing and broadcast rights, and Lifetime became a league-wide kit sponsor for all players. This deal marked the first time Lifetime had broadcast sports since the WNBA in the late 1990s and early 2000s.[132][133][134][135][136] Lifetime also streamed the game of the week in the United States via its website, and internationally in the NWSL website and iOS app. The remaining games were initially streamed exclusively by go90 in the United States under a digital rights deal with Verizon Communications, and through the NWSL website internationally.[132] The quality of the streams through go90 faced criticism, with sportswriters, users, and players and team staff criticizing the service for its inconsistent quality and arguing that the NWSL's growth could be harmed by go90's relative lack of reach and prominence when compared to YouTube.[137][138] The Equalizer noted that the app was prone to crashing, did not have the same wide device support as YouTube,[139] and that the telecasts themselves suffered from their own technical problems (such as poor camera angles and glitches with graphics), but that the streams were good when they worked.[140] On May 19, 2017, the league announced that they would additionally stream games on the NWSL website and app in the U.S. until the technical issues with go90 were rectified.[141] After Houston Dash player Rachel Daly collapsed on the pitch after a match in Houston, on May 27 – where the heat index was reportedly over 100 degrees Fahrenheit – she was carried off on a stretcher and hospitalized for heat illness. League operations director Amanda Duffy subsequently announced that the NWSL Game of the Week matches, many of which were slated for the hottest parts of the day in humid cities such as Houston, Orlando, and Cary, North Carolina, would be rescheduled to allow for longer hydration breaks. Some Game of the Week matches changed to other venues, and teams not scheduled for television were granted more flexibility in rescheduling kickoffs for player safety. The league also adopted new procedures for addressing heat and rescheduling matches.[142][143] On June 6, 2018, it was announced that six Game of the Week matches through the remainder of the season would move to evening kickoffs and air on ESPNews (which is owned by a sister venture to A&E Networks), in an effort to ensure the safety of players, as well as improve attendance.[144] Go90 shut down in July 2018; the remaining games not aired on television were moved back to the NWSL website for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs.[145] On February 20, 2019, the NWSL announced that A&E Networks had pulled out of its broadcasting agreement with the league one season early. A&E's stake in NWSL Media was given back to the league, but Lifetime remained a kit sponsor. NWSL president Amanda Duffy said the changes would give the league and its teams finer control over its media and sponsorship agreements, and expected to announce a new television rights deal soon. Verizon Media remained the U.S. digital rightsholder to the league, but the streams moved from go90 to the Yahoo! Sports website and apps.[146] The NWSL did not reach any national television deals before the start of the 2019 season,[147] but after their opening match, the Chicago Red Stars reached their own television deal with the regional sports network NBC Sports Chicago.[148] In July 2019, the NWSL announced that ESPN had acquired a 14-match package for the remainder of the season divided among ESPNews and ESPN2, including the semifinals and championship match.[149] 2020–2023: CBS Sports In October 2019, the NWSL signed the agency Octagon to market its media rights. It was reported that Octagon was pursuing multi-year agreements of at least three years and stronger broadcaster commitments, as to help build an audience and discourage broadcasters from acquiring NWSL rights to ride the coattails of the U.S. national team and the FIFA Women's World Cup, but then "abandon" it afterward.[150] On March 11, 2020, the NWSL entered into a three-year media agreement with CBS Sports and the video game-oriented streaming service Twitch.[151] For the 2020 season, CBS Sports planned to broadcast 87 matches (including the playoffs) split between CBS, CBS Sports Network, and CBS All Access (now Paramount+) in Canada and the United States, with the exact distribution among the channels subject to change, while Twitch planned to stream an additional 24 matches for free. Twitch also became the NWSL's international media rightsholder and streamed all matches outside Canada and the United States for free.[152][153] In September 2021, players publicly complained about the 2021 NWSL championship match's announced the 9 a.m. PDT kickoff time in the neutral-site host city of Portland, Oregon, which was required for the league's noon EDT broadcast slot provided by CBS.[154] The league responded by moving the match to Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky, in the Eastern Time Zone.[155] Following criticism of match broadcast quality,[156][157] the NWSL announced improvements to cameras, infrastructure, and staffing in August 2022, with additional improvements necessary to support the introduction of video assistant referees in 2023.[158][159][160] CBS Sports did not renew its rights beyond 2023 during its exclusive negotiating window. The league's contract with Twitch expired after the 2022 season, with the U.S. rights to the matches reverting back to CBS.[161] The NWSL stated that matches would stream internationally on its website as part of an agreement with Endeavor Streaming, while also reaching agreements with TSN (Canada), DAZN (Brazil, Japan, UK, and 12 European territories), and Tigo (Central America).[162][163][164] On June 6, 2023, Tigo also added free Spanish-language streams of two regular-season NWSL matches per week, the NWSL Challenge Cup playoffs, and NWSL playoffs in the United States and Canada.[165] Statistical leaders Main article: NWSL records and statistics [166][167][168] Bold indicates active NWSL players. NWSL All-Time Leading Goalscorers Regular Season Only as of October 2, 2022 Rank Player Goals 1 Australia Sam Kerr 77 2 Canada Christine Sinclair 59 3 United States Lynn Williams 59 4 United States Jessica McDonald 54 5 United States Alex Morgan 53 6 United States Christen Press 47 7 United States Megan Rapinoe 47 8 United States Sydney Leroux 40 10 United States Amy Rodriguez 39 9 Wales Jess Fishlock 38 NWSL Most Appearances Regular Season Only as of October 2, 2022 Rank Player Games 1 United States Lauren Barnes 189 2 United States McCall Zerboni 188 3 United States Merritt Mathias 183 4 United States Jessica McDonald 178 5 Wales Jess Fishlock 163 6 United States Ali Krieger 159 7 United States Kristie Mewis 158 United States Tori Huster 9 Canada Christine Sinclair 157 10 United States Allie Long 156 Most assists (career) Regular Season Only as of October 2, 2022 Rank Player Assists 1 United States Jessica McDonald 32 2 United States Sofia Huerta 28 3 United States Lynn Williams 26 4 Wales Jessica Fishlock 25 Japan Nahomi Kawasumi United States Christine Nairn 7 United States Tobin Heath 24 8 United States Vanessa Dibernardo 23 United States Alex Morgan 10 United States Crystal Dunn 22 Japan Yuki Nagasato Most Shutouts (career) Regular Season Only as of October 2, 2022 # Player Shutouts Apps 1 United States Nicole Barnhart 52 141 2 United States Adrianna Franch 41 115 3 United States Alyssa Naeher 40 143 4 United States Aubrey Kingsbury 27 99 5 United States Casey Murphy 23 60 6 United States Jane Campbell 22 103 United States Ashlyn Harris 135 Canada Kailen Sheridan 98 9 United States Katelyn Rowland 19 58 10 United States Bella Bixby 18 36 NWSL awards Main article: NWSL awards Throughout the season, the league awards Player of the Month, Team of the Month, and Player of the Week awards to individual players, which are voted on by the media. At the end of each season, the league presents six annual awards for outstanding achievements, five of which are voted on by players, owners, general managers, coaches, media, and fans.[169] The current (2022) holders of the annual awards are as follows: Golden Boot: Alex Morgan, San Diego Wave FC (15 goals)[170] Most Valuable Player: Sophia Smith, Portland Thorns FC[171] Rookie of the Year: Naomi Girma, San Diego Wave FC[172] Goalkeeper of the Year: Kailen Sheridan, San Diego Wave FC[173] Defender of the Year: Naomi Girma, San Diego Wave FC[172] Coach of the Year: Casey Stoney, San Diego Wave FC[174] In addition, the league names a NWSL Best XI team and NWSL Second XI team, which are voted on by players, owners, general managers, coaches, media, and fans.[175] NWSL leadership Name Years Title Ref. Cheryl Bailey 2012–2014 Commissioner [176] Jeff Plush 2015–2017 Commissioner [177][178] Amanda Duffy 2017 Managing director of operations [179] Amanda Duffy 2018–2019 Managing director [179] Amanda Duffy 2019–2020 President [180] Lisa Baird 2020–2021 Commissioner [181] Marla Messing 2021–2022 Interim CEO [182] Jessica Berman 2022–present Commissioner [183] Former general manager of the United States women's national soccer team Cheryl Bailey was announced by US Soccer President Sunil Gulati as the first commissioner of the NWSL on November 29, 2012.[184] On November 18, 2014, she resigned after overseeing two seasons and the launch of the new professional league in less than five months ahead of the inaugural season.[185] On January 6, 2015, Jeff Plush, managing director of Colorado Rapids and a former MLS board member, was named as Bailey's successor.[186] Plush oversaw the 2015 and 2016 seasons, including the Orlando Pride expansion, a broadcast partnership with A+E Networks (including the three-year broadcast deal with Lifetime television), and the sale of the Western New York Flash to North Carolina FC owner Stephen Malik and the team's relocation to North Carolina.[187] During his tenure, former Louisville City FC president Amanda Duffy was hired in December 2016 as the NWSL's managing director of operations.[188] Plush resigned as commissioner on March 2, 2017, and the position remained vacant until 2020, although Duffy served as the public face of league management.[189] On January 15, 2019, Duffy was promoted to president, the league's highest office.[190] On January 7, 2020, Amanda Duffy announced that she would leave the NWSL for a leadership position at the Orlando Pride on February 15, 2020.[191] On February 27, 2020, the NWSL announced that Lisa Baird, chief marketing officer of the New York Public Radio, would become the league's commissioner on March 10, 2020.[192] Baird resigned on October 1, 2021, during the NWSL abuse scandal (see § Controversies, below). On October 18, 2021, the league hired Marla Messing as its Interim CEO.[193] On April 20, 2022, Jessica Berman became commissioner, overlapping with CEO Messing, who continued work until May 31.[194] Controversies Main article: 2021 NWSL abuse scandal On September 30, 2021, a report in The Athletic publicized accusations by players against North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley, who claimed Riley engaged in sexual coercion of multiple former players.[195] Riley was promptly fired from his head coaching position, and US Soccer suspended his coaching license.[196] Commissioner Lisa Baird responded to the report published in The Athletic, writing that "Concurrently, we are reporting these new allegations to the United States Center for SafeSport for investigation," but Baird subsequently resigned amid reports that the league board of directors had ousted her and league counsel Lisa Levine for insufficient action when the affected players had previously contacted her about the coercion.[181] Riley maintains his innocence.[197] Investigations into the incident, and into player safety more generally, were launched by the NWSL, the US Soccer Federation, and FIFA.[197] After a joint investigation by the NWSL and NWSLPA, Baird's replacement as commissioner, Jessica Berman, announced in January 2023 that four coaches, among them Riley, were banned for life from league employment. Several other coaches and executives received lesser discipline.[198] See also icon Women's association football portal icon Association football portal Sports portal List of foreign NWSL players Prominent women's sports leagues in the United States and Canada Professional sports leagues in the United States List of professional sports teams in the United States and Canada Women's soccer in the United States Women's professional sports The Best FIFA Women's Player is a football award presented annually by the sport's governing body, FIFA, since 2016, to honour the player deemed to have performed the best over the previous calendar year.[1] From 2001 to 2015, the award was known as the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year. History The selection criteria for the players of the year are: sporting performance, as well as general conduct on and off the pitch. The votes are decided by media representatives, national team coaches, and national team captains. In October 2016, it was announced that the general public would also be allowed to vote.[2] Each group has 25% of the overall vote. At the 2017 awards, 2016 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Bronze Ball and Bronze Shoe winner and amateur club player Deyna Castellanos was nominated. Professional players Megan Rapinoe and Sam Kerr criticized the nomination.[3] Winners Year Rank Player Team(s) Votes 2016 1st United States Carli Lloyd United States Houston Dash 20.68% 2nd Brazil Marta Sweden FC Rosengård 16.60% 3rd Germany Melanie Behringer Germany Bayern Munich 12.34% 2017 1st Netherlands Lieke Martens Spain Barcelona[note 1] 21.72% 2nd United States Carli Lloyd United States Houston Dash[note 2] 16.28% 3rd Venezuela Deyna Castellanos United States Santa Clarita Blue Heat 11.69% 2018 1st Brazil Marta United States Orlando Pride 14.73% 2nd Germany Dzsenifer Marozsán France Lyon 12.86% 3rd Norway Ada Hegerberg France Lyon 12.60% 2019 1st United States Megan Rapinoe United States Reign FC 46 2nd United States Alex Morgan United States Orlando Pride 42 3rd England Lucy Bronze France Lyon 29 2020 1st England Lucy Bronze[4] England Manchester City[note 3] 52 2nd Denmark Pernille Harder[4] England Chelsea 40 3rd France Wendie Renard[4] France Lyon 35 2021 [5] 1st Spain Alexia Putellas Spain Barcelona 52 2nd Australia Sam Kerr England Chelsea 38 3rd Spain Jennifer Hermoso Spain Barcelona 33 2022 [6] 1st Spain Alexia Putellas Spain Barcelona 50 2nd United States Alex Morgan United States Orlando Pride United States San Diego Wave 37 3rd England Beth Mead England Arsenal 37 Wins by player Player 1st 2nd 3rd Spain Alexia Putellas 2 (2021, 2022) — — United States Carli Lloyd 1 (2016) 1 (2017) — Brazil Marta 1 (2018) 1 (2016) — England Lucy Bronze 1 (2020) — 1 (2019) Netherlands Lieke Martens 1 (2017) — — United States Megan Rapinoe 1 (2019) — — Wins by country Country Players Total  Spain 1 2  United States 2 2  Netherlands 1 1  Brazil 1 1  England 1 1 Wins by club Club Players Total Spain Barcelona 2 3 United States Houston Dash 1 1 United States Orlando Pride 1 1 United States Reign FC 1 1 England Manchester City 1 1 FIFA Player of the Year (including predecessors) Players FIFA Women's World Player of the Year (1991–2015) The Best FIFA Women's Player (2016–present) Total Brazil Marta 5 1 6 Germany Birgit Prinz 3 — 3 United States Mia Hamm 2 — 2 United States Carli Lloyd 1 1 2 Spain Alexia Putellas — 2 2 Japan Homare Sawa 1 — 1 United States Abby Wambach 1 — 1 Germany Nadine Angerer 1 — 1 Germany Nadine Keßler 1 — 1 Netherlands Lieke Martens — 1 1 United States Megan Rapinoe — 1 1 England Lucy Bronze — 1 1 See also List of sports awards honoring women FIFA Women's World Player of the Year The Best FIFA Football Awards Ballon d'Or Féminin The women's football tournament at the 2012 Summer Olympics was held in London and five other cities in the United Kingdom from 25 July to 9 August. Associations affiliated with FIFA were invited to enter their women's teams in regional qualifying competitions, from which 11 teams, plus the hosts Great Britain reached the final tournament. There are no age restrictions for the players participating in the tournament. It is the first major FIFA affiliated women's tournament to be staged within the United Kingdom, and marked the first time a team representing Great Britain took part in the women's tournament. Qualifying Main article: Football at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's qualification Each National Olympic Committee may enter one women's team in the football tournament. Means of qualification Date of completion Venue1 Berths Qualified Host nation 2005 none 1 Great Britain AFC Preliminary Competition 11 September 2011 China[1] 2 Japan  North Korea CAF Preliminary Competition 22 October 2011[2] multiple 2 South Africa  Cameroon CONCACAF Preliminary Competition 29 January 2012 Canada[3] 2 United States  Canada CONMEBOL Preliminary Competition 21 November 2010 Ecuador 2 Brazil  Colombia OFC Preliminary Competition 4 April 2012 multiple 1 New Zealand Best UEFA teams in 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup 17 July 2011 Germany 2 Sweden  France TOTAL 12 ^1 Locations are those of final tournaments, various qualification stages may precede matches at these specific venues. Venues Further information: Football at the 2012 Summer Olympics § Venues The tournament was held in six venues across six cities: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff City of Coventry Stadium, Coventry Hampden Park, Glasgow Wembley Stadium, London Old Trafford, Manchester St James' Park, Newcastle Draw The draw for the tournament took place on 24 April 2012.[4] Great Britain, Japan and the United States were seeded for the draw and placed into groups E–G, respectively.[5] The remaining teams were drawn from four pots.[6] Pot 1 Pot 2 Pot 3 Pot 4  Great Britain (assigned to E1)  Sweden  France  Cameroon  South Africa  Colombia  Japan (assigned to F1)  North Korea  New Zealand  United States (assigned to G1)  Canada  Brazil Squads Main article: Football at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's team squads The women's tournament is a full international tournament with no restrictions on age. Each nation must submit a squad of 18 players. Match officials On 19 April 2012, FIFA released the list of match referees that would officiate at the Olympics.[7] Match officials Confederation Referee Assistant referees AFC Hong Eun-ah (South Korea) Sarah Ho (Australia) Kim Kyoung-min (South Korea) Sachiko Yamagishi (Japan) Widiya Habibah Shamsuri (Malaysia) Saori Takahashi (Japan) CAF Thérèse Neguel (Cameroon) Tempa Ndah (Benin) Lidwine Rakotozafinoro (Madagascar) CONCACAF Quetzalli Alvarado (Mexico) Mayte Chávez (Mexico) Shirley Perelló (Honduras) Carol Anne Chenard (Canada) Marie-Josée Charbonneau (Canada) Stacy-Ann Greyson (Jamaica) Kari Seitz (United States) Marlene Duffy (United States) Veronica Perez (United States) CONMEBOL Salomé di Iorio (Argentina) Mariana Corbo (Uruguay) María Rocco (Argentina) UEFA Kirsi Heikkinen (Finland) Anu Jokela (Finland) Tonja Paavola (Finland) Thalia Mitsi (Greece) Yolanda Parga Rodríguez (Spain) María Luisa Villa Gutiérrez (Spain) Jenny Palmqvist (Sweden) Helen Caro (Sweden) Anna Nyström (Sweden) Christina Pedersen (Norway) Lada Rojc (Croatia) Hege Lanes Steinlund (Norway) Bibiana Steinhaus (Germany) Katrin Rafalski (Germany) Marina Wozniak (Germany) Group stage Group winners and runners-up and the two best third-ranked teams advanced to the quarter-finals (also see Tie breakers). All times are British Summer Time (UTC+1). Group E Great Britain vs New Zealand Main article: Football at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament – Group E Pos Teamvte Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification 1 Great Britain 3 3 0 0 5 0 +5 9 Qualified for the quarter-finals 2 Brazil 3 2 0 1 6 1 +5 6 3 New Zealand 3 1 0 2 3 3 0 3 4 Cameroon 3 0 0 3 1 11 −10 0 Source: IOC 25 July 2012 16:00 Great Britain 1–0 New Zealand Houghton  64' Report Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Attendance: 24,445[8] Referee: Kari Seitz (United States) 25 July 2012 18:45 Cameroon 0–5 Brazil Report Francielle  7' Costa  10' Marta  73' (pen.), 88' Cristiane  78' Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Attendance: 30,847[9] Referee: Jenny Palmqvist (Sweden) 28 July 2012 14:30 New Zealand 0–1 Brazil Report Cristiane  86' Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Attendance: 30,103[10] Referee: Bibiana Steinhaus (Germany) 28 July 2012 17:15 Great Britain 3–0 Cameroon Stoney  18' J. Scott  23' Houghton  82' Report Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Attendance: 31,141[11] Referee: Hong Eun-ah (South Korea) 31 July 2012 19:45 New Zealand 3–1 Cameroon Smith  43' Sonkeng  49' (o.g.) Gregorius  62' Report Onguéné  75' City of Coventry Stadium, Coventry Attendance: 11,425[12] Referee: Christina Pedersen (Norway) 31 July 2012 19:45 Great Britain 1–0 Brazil Houghton  2' Report Wembley Stadium, London Attendance: 70,584[13] Referee: Carol Anne Chenard (Canada) Group F Main article: Football at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament – Group F Pos Teamvte Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification 1 Sweden 3 1 2 0 6 3 +3 5 Qualified for the quarter-finals 2 Japan 3 1 2 0 2 1 +1 5 3 Canada 3 1 1 1 6 4 +2 4 4 South Africa 3 0 1 2 1 7 −6 1 Source: IOC 25 July 2012 17:00 Japan 2–1 Canada Kawasumi  33' Miyama  44' Report Tancredi  55' City of Coventry Stadium, Coventry Attendance: 14,119[14] Referee: Kirsi Heikkinen (Finland) 25 July 2012 19:45 Sweden 4–1 South Africa Fischer  7' Dahlkvist  20' Schelin  21', 63' Report Report Modise  60' City of Coventry Stadium, Coventry Attendance: 18,290[15] Referee: Salomé di Iorio (Argentina) 28 July 2012 12:00 Japan 0–0 Sweden Report Report City of Coventry Stadium, Coventry Attendance: 14,160[16] Referee: Quetzalli Alvarado (Mexico) 28 July 2012 14:45 Canada 3–0 South Africa Tancredi  7' Sinclair  58', 86' Report City of Coventry Stadium, Coventry Attendance: 14,753[17] Referee: Christina Pedersen (Norway) 31 July 2012 14:30 Japan 0–0 South Africa Report Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Attendance: 24,202[18] Referee: Efthalia Mitsi (Greece) 31 July 2012 14:30 Canada 2–2 Sweden Tancredi  43', 84' Report Report Hammarström  14' Jakobsson  16' St James' Park, Newcastle Attendance: 12,719[19] Referee: Hong Eun-ah (South Korea) Group G Main article: Football at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament – Group G Pos Teamvte Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification 1 United States 3 3 0 0 8 2 +6 9 Qualified for the quarter-finals 2 France 3 2 0 1 8 4 +4 6 3 North Korea 3 1 0 2 2 6 −4 3 4 Colombia 3 0 0 3 0 6 −6 0 Source: IOC 25 July 2012 17:00 United States 4–2 France Wambach  19' Morgan  32', 66' Lloyd  56' Report Thiney  12' Delie  14' Hampden Park, Glasgow Attendance: 18,090[20] Referee: Sachiko Yamagishi (Japan) 25 July 2012 20:50 † Colombia 0–2 North Korea Report Kim Song-hui  39', 85' Hampden Park, Glasgow Attendance: 18,900[21] Referee: Carol Anne Chenard (Canada) 28 July 2012 17:00 United States 3–0 Colombia Rapinoe  33' Wambach  74' Lloyd  77' Report Hampden Park, Glasgow Attendance: 11,313[22] Referee: Efthalia Mitsi (Greece) 28 July 2012 19:45 France 5–0 North Korea Georges  45' Thomis  70' Delie  71' Renard  81' Catala  87' Report Hampden Park, Glasgow Attendance: 11,743[23] Referee: Thérèse Neguel (Cameroon) 31 July 2012 17:15 United States 1–0 North Korea Wambach  25' Report Old Trafford, Manchester Attendance: 29,522[24] Referee: Jenny Palmqvist (Sweden) 31 July 2012 17:15 France 1–0 Colombia Thomis  5' Report St James' Park, Newcastle Attendance: 13,184[25] Referee: Quetzalli Alvarado (Mexico) † Game delayed by one hour, having been originally scheduled at 19:45,[26] due to North Korean protest after accidental use of South Korean flag for North Korea.[27] Ranking of third-placed teams Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts  Canada 3 1 1 1 6 4 +2 4  New Zealand 3 1 0 2 3 3 0 3  North Korea 3 1 0 2 2 6 −4 3 Source: IOC Green indicates qualified for the quarter-finals Knockout stage Main article: Football at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament – Knockout stage Quarter-finals Semi-finals Gold medal match   E1 Great Britain 0 F3 Canada 2 F3 Canada 3 G1 United States (aet) 4 G1 United States 2 E3 New Zealand 0 G1 United States 2 F2 Japan 1 F1 Sweden 1 G2 France 2 G2 France 1 Bronze medal match F2 Japan 2 E2 Brazil 0 F3 Canada 1 F2 Japan 2 G2 France 0 Quarter-finals 3 August 2012 12:00 Sweden 1–2 France Fischer  18' Report Report Georges  29' Renard  39' Hampden Park, Glasgow Attendance: 12,869[28] Referee: Kari Seitz (United States) 3 August 2012 14:30 United States 2–0 New Zealand Wambach  27' Leroux  87' Report St James' Park, Newcastle Attendance: 10,441[29] Referee: Salomé di Iorio (Argentina) 3 August 2012 17:00 Brazil 0–2 Japan Report Ōgimi  27' Ohno  73' Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Attendance: 28,528[30] Referee: Kirsi Heikkinen (Finland) 3 August 2012 19:30 Great Britain 0–2 Canada Report Filigno  12' Sinclair  26' City of Coventry Stadium, Coventry Attendance: 28,828[31] Referee: Sachiko Yamagishi (Japan) Semi-finals 6 August 2012 17:00 France 1–2 Japan Le Sommer  76' Report Ōgimi  32' Sakaguchi  49' Wembley Stadium, London Attendance: 61,482[32] Referee: Quetzalli Alvarado (Mexico) Main article: Canada v United States (2012 Summer Olympics) 6 August 2012 19:45 Canada 3–4 (a.e.t.) United States Sinclair  22', 67', 73' Report Rapinoe  54', 70' Wambach  80' (pen.) Morgan  120+3' Old Trafford, Manchester Attendance: 26,630[33] Referee: Christina Pedersen (Norway) Bronze medal match 9 August 2012 13:00 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) Canada 1–0 France Matheson  90+2' Report City of Coventry Stadium, Coventry Attendance: 12,465[34] Referee: Jenny Palmqvist (Sweden) Gold medal match 9 August 2012 19:45 1st place, gold medalist(s) United States 2–1 Japan 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Lloyd  8', 54' Report Ōgimi  63' Wembley Stadium, London Attendance: 80,203[35] Referee: Bibiana Steinhaus (Germany) Statistics Goalscorers There were 71 goals scored in 26 matches, for an average of 2.73 goals per match. 6 goals Canada Christine Sinclair 5 goals United States Abby Wambach 4 goals Canada Melissa Tancredi United States Carli Lloyd 3 goals United Kingdom Steph Houghton Japan Yūki Ōgimi United States Alex Morgan United States Megan Rapinoe 2 goals Brazil Cristiane Brazil Marta France Marie-Laure Delie France Laura Georges France Wendie Renard France Élodie Thomis North Korea Kim Song-hui Sweden Nilla Fischer Sweden Lotta Schelin 1 goal Brazil Francielle Brazil Renata Costa Cameroon Gabrielle Onguéné Canada Jonelle Filigno Canada Diana Matheson France Camille Catala France Eugénie Le Sommer France Gaëtane Thiney United Kingdom Jill Scott United Kingdom Casey Stoney Japan Nahomi Kawasumi Japan Aya Miyama Japan Shinobu Ohno Japan Mizuho Sakaguchi New Zealand Sarah Gregorius New Zealand Rebecca Smith South Africa Portia Modise Sweden Lisa Dahlkvist Sweden Marie Hammarström Sweden Sofia Jakobsson United States Sydney Leroux 1 own goal Cameroon Ysis Sonkeng (against New Zealand) Source: FIFA[36] Assists 5 assists United States Alex Morgan 4 assists France Louisa Nécib 3 assists Canada Sophie Schmidt France Élodie Thomis United States Megan Rapinoe 2 assists Canada Melissa Tancredi Canada Rhian Wilkinson United Kingdom Karen Carney United Kingdom Kim Little Japan Shinobu Ohno Sweden Marie Hammarström United States Tobin Heath 1 assist Brazil Cristiane Brazil Francielle Cameroon Adrienne Iven Canada Diana Matheson Canada Lauren Sesselmann Canada Christine Sinclair France Sonia Bompastor Japan Aya Miyama Japan Aya Sameshima Japan Homare Sawa New Zealand Ria Percival New Zealand Rosie White Sweden Sofia Jakobsson Sweden Lina Nilsson Sweden Caroline Seger Sweden Sara Thunebro United States Kelley O'Hara United States Heather O'Reilly United States Christie Rampone United States Hope Solo Source: FIFA[36] Discipline Red cards North Korea Choe Mi-gyong Match bans Colombia Lady Andrade was banned two matches for violent conduct in punching Abby Wambach.[37] FIFA Fair Play Award The United States won the FIFA Fair Play Award, given to the team with the best record of fair play during the tournament. Every match in the final competition is taken into account but only teams that reach the second stage of the competition are eligible for the Fair Play Award.[36] Pos Team Pts 1 United States 945 2 Sweden 890 3 France 875 4 Japan 874 5 Canada 863 6 New Zealand 844 7 Great Britain 798 8 Brazil 698 Tournament ranking Per statistical convention in football, matches decided in extra time are counted as wins and losses, while matches decided by penalty shoot-outs are counted as draws. Pos Grp Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Final result 1 G United States 6 6 0 0 16 6 +10 18 Gold medal 2 F Japan 6 3 2 1 7 4 +3 11 Silver medal 3 F Canada 6 3 1 2 12 8 +4 10 Bronze medal 4 G France 6 3 0 3 11 8 +3 9 Fourth place 5 E Great Britain (H) 4 3 0 1 5 2 +3 9 Eliminated in quarter-finals 6 E Brazil 4 2 0 2 6 3 +3 6 7 F Sweden 4 1 2 1 7 5 +2 5 8 E New Zealand 4 1 0 3 3 5 −2 3 9 G North Korea 3 1 0 2 2 6 −4 3 Eliminated in group stage 10 F South Africa 3 0 1 2 1 7 −6 1 11 G Colombia 3 0 0 3 0 6 −6 0 12 E Cameroon 3 0 0 3 1 11 −10 0 Source: FIFA[36] (H) Host Notable events and controversies North Korea flag confusion In the first day of the Olympic events on 25 July, the match between DPR Korea and Colombia was delayed by a little over an hour because the flag of South Korea was mistakenly displayed on the electronic scoreboard in Hampden Park. The North Korean team walked off the pitch in protest at seeing the South Korean flag displayed by their names and refused to warm-up whilst the flag was being displayed. They also objected to the South Korean flag being displayed above the stadium, even though the flags of all the competing countries were being displayed. The game then commenced after a delay and rectification of the error.[38] Andy Mitchell, venue media manager for the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), read out a LOCOG statement shortly afterwards:[39][40] "Today ahead of the Women’s football match at Hampden Park, the South Korean flag was shown on a big screen video package instead of the North Korean flag. Clearly that is a mistake, we will apologise to the team and the National Olympic Committee and steps will be taken to ensure this does not happen again". LOCOG's statement had to be reissued because it failed to use the nations' official titles, "Republic of Korea" and "Democratic People's Republic of Korea".[41] British Prime Minister David Cameron added that it was an "honest mistake" and efforts would be undertaken to ensure such a mishap does not recur. However, North Korean manager Sin Ui-gun expressed reservations about whether the incident was a mistake of intention and said: "We were angry because our players were introduced as if they were from South Korea, which may affect us greatly as you may know. Our team was not going to participate unless the problem was solved perfectly and fortunately some time later, the broadcasting was corrected and shown again live so we made up our mind to participate and go on with the match. If this matter cannot be solved, we thought going on was nonsense. Winning the game cannot compensate for that thing".[42] Canada–United States semi-final During the semi-final match between Canada and the United States, a time-wasting call was made against the Canadian goalkeeper, Erin McLeod, when she held the ball longer than the allowed six seconds. As a result, the American side was awarded an indirect free-kick in the box. On the ensuing play, Canada was penalized for a handball in the penalty box, with the American team being awarded a penalty kick, which Abby Wambach converted to tie the game at 3–3. The Americans went on to win the match in extra time, advancing to the gold medal game.[43][44] After the match, Canada forward Christine Sinclair stated, "the ref decided the result before the game started." FIFA responded by stating that the refereeing decisions were correct and saying it was considering disciplinary action against Sinclair, but that any disciplinary action would be postponed until after the end of the tournament.[45][46][47]
A sports event unlike any other The Olympic Games are unique. Athletes from the entire world take part. Their achievements are watched from both near and far by hundreds of millions of spectators. The five rings on the Olympic flag represent the international nature of the Games. What makes the Olympic Games different from other sports events? The Games are held every four years. They are the largest sporting celebration in the number of sports on the programme, the number of athletes present and the number of people from different nations gathered together at the same time in the same place. The Games are held at intervals, but are part of a broader framework which is that of the Olympic Movement. The purpose of the Olympic Movement is to promote the practice of sport all over the world and disseminate the Olympic values. It is in this spirit that the Olympic Games are held and celebrated. The Summer Games and the Winter Games The Olympic Games include the Games of the Olympiad (i.e. the Summer Games) and the Olympic Winter Games. The first edition of the modern Summer Games was held in 1896 in Athens (Greece), and the first Olympic Winter Games in 1924 in Chamonix (France). The word Olympiad designates the four-year period that separates each edition of the Summer Games. Until 1992, the Summer and Winter Games were held in the same year, but since then, the Winter Games were moved two years from the Summer Games. The Summer and Winter Games continue to be organised once every four years. In the Summer Games, athletes compete in a wide variety of competitions on the track, on the road, on grass, in the water, on the water, in the open air and indoors, in a total of 28 sports. The Winter Games feature 7 sports practised on snow and ice, both indoors and outdoors. The Modern Olympic Games Introduction 3 The London 2012 Olympic Games were broadcast all over the world, via the traditional media as well as online and mobile platforms. They reached a record audience estimated at 4.8 billion people. © The Olympic Museum The Modern Olympic Games Introduction 4 History It was Pierre de Coubertin of France who dreamt up this ambitious project, although others before him had tried in vain to revive these Games. Drawing inspiration from the ancient Olympic Games, he decided to create the modern Olympic Games. With this purpose, he founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894 in Paris. The new committee set itself the objective of organising the first Olympic Games of modern times. The date of the first Games, 1896, marked the beginning of an extraordinary adventure that has now lasted for over a century! 1 1. OG Athenes 1896. Athletics. Discus Men – Robert GARRETT (USA) 1st. © 1896 / International Olympic Committee (IOC) © The Olympic Museum The characteristics of the modern Olympic Games Elements of the past The roots of the Olympic Games are to be found in Ancient Greece [see sheet “The Olympic Games in Antiquity”], and the first modern Games, in 1896, featured many references to this legacy of Greek Antiquity: › The Games were held in Athens, in Greece, the country where the ancient Games were held. › Most of the competitions were held in the ancient stadium (the Panathinaiko Stadium), which had been restored for the occasion. › Most of the sports on the programme of the ancient Games were included in the first modern Games. › The organisers invented a race inspired by an event in antiquity: the marathon. Generally speaking, the modern Games strive towards a more peaceful world. The Olympic Truce calling for a halt to all conflicts recalls the concept of the truce observed during the Ancient Games. Sacred and respected throughout Ancient Greece, the Olympic Truce announced by messengers before the Games allowed spectators, athletes and officials to travel to and from Olympia in safety through the numerous battle zones. Today, the Olympic Truce is the subject of a United Nations resolution calling for a halt to hostilities during the period of the Games and the search for means of peaceful resolution in areas of tension. The athletes who support this initiative are invited to sign a “Truce Wall” in the Olympic Village. Innovations While the modern Games draw their inspiration from the past, they are also quite different. From the outset, Coubertin proposed: › Secular Games The modern Games are secular, unlike the ancient Games which were dedicated to the gods. The Modern Olympic Games The characteristics of the modern Olympic Games 5 In antiquity, the Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens hosted the sports competitions known as the Panathenaea. The marathon This race commemorates the exploit of a soldier who, in 490 BC, ran from Marathon to tell the people of Athens of their victory in the battle against the Persians, a distance of roughly 34.5 kilometres. © The Olympic Museum The Modern Olympic Games 6 › Games around the globe In contrast with the Olympic Games of Antiquity, each edition of the modern Games takes place in principle in a different city and country. › Longer Games In ancient times, the Games were held first on one day, and finally over five days. Today the official duration is no more than 16 days. The Games are also evolving constantly: › Since 1896, athletes from all over the world The ancient Olympic Games were the preserve of free male Greek citizens, whereas the modern Games have always been open to athletes from all over the world. The 245 participants in Athens in 1896 came from 14 different countries. The 1912 Games in Stockholm (Sweden) were the first to boast the presence of national delegations from the five continents. The universality of the modern Olympic Games was assured. Today, the Summer Games welcome athletes from every country of the world, without exception. › Since 1900, women join in As in Ancient Greece, there were no female athletes at the first edition of the modern Olympic Games. In Athens in 1896, only men competed. At that time, female athletes faced many prejudices. People worried that they would lose their femininity, over-develop their muscles or become sterile. They therefore had to overcome this kind of attitude and gradually take their place at the Games. Women made their Olympic debut at the 1900 Games in Paris (France), in tennis and golf. Subsequently, over the course of the century, they gained access to more and more sports (e.g. swimming in 1912, athletics in 1928, volleyball in 1964, rowing in 1976, cycling in 1984 and football in 1996), but it was not until the 2012 Games in London, with the introduction of women’s boxing, that women could compete in all the sports on the programme. Since the 2004 Games in Athens, more than 40 per cent of the athletes at the Games have been women. › Since 1924, Games for winter sports When Coubertin revived the Olympic Games, only summer sports were included. In the 1920s, however, snow and ice sports began to enjoy soaring popularity. A number of IOC members decided to react to this, and, in 1924, it was decided 1 1. OG Paris 1900. Tennis, singles Women – Hélène PREVOS © 1900 / International Olympic Committee (IOC) The characteristics of the modern Olympic Games © The Olympic Museum to hold an International Winter Sports Week in Chamonix (France): 258 athletes from 16 countries (mainly in Europe and North America) attended. This proved a great success and, two years later, this “Week” was officially recognised as the first Olympic Winter Games. The future of an Olympic event dedicated exclusively to snow and ice sports was assured. At the 2010 Games in Vancouver (Canada), a total of 2,566 athletes came together from 82 countries as diverse as Ghana, Brazil, New Zealand and Pakistan. › Since 1984, professional athletes at the Games The modern Olympic Games were long open only to amateur athletes, in line with Pierre de Coubertin’s wishes. The IOC abolished this rule in 1984 (for the Games in Los Angeles), and since then professional athletes have also been able to take part. The rituals of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies The Olympic Games begin and end with big celebrations, important ceremonies in which various rituals express the identity of the Games. Today, these rituals are part of the protocol of the Games. They include the following elements: The Modern Olympic Games Opening of the Games › the entry of the athletes into the stadium with their delegations (in alphabetical order, except for Greece which goes first, and the host country which brings up the rear) › the declaration of the opening of the Games by the Head of State of the host country › the address by the Games Organising Committee President › the speech by the IOC President › the entry of the Olympic flag into the stadium › the Olympic anthem › the symbolic release of doves (a symbol of peace) › the oath sworn by an athlete and an official from the host country (respect for the rules) › the entrance of the flame and lighting of the cauldron Closing of the Games › handing over of the Olympic flag to the next Olympic host city (continuity of the Games) › gathering of the athletes in the stadium (brotherhood) › the extinguishing of the flame › the declaration of the closing of the Games by the IOC President 7 Most of this protocol had been established by the time of the 1920 Games in Antwerp (Belgium). It has been added to over the years as the Games have evolved. 1. OG London 2012. Opening Ceremony. © 2012 / International Olympic Committee (IOC) / FURLONG, Christopher 1 The characteristics of the modern Olympic Games © The Olympic Museum The Modern Olympic Games 8 The protocol forms part of a much broader scenography and programme. The opening and closing ceremonies are an invitation to discover the culture of the country hosting the Games, through music, song, dance, etc. Sport, art and culture In Ancient Greece, art and sport were seen as perfect partners. The ideal was to achieve harmony by exercising both the body and the mind. Pierre de Coubertin adopted this ideal for the modern Olympic Games and proposed including art and culture in the programme of the Games. On his initiative, architecture, sculpture, painting, literature and music competitions were part of the Olympic Games from 1912 to 1948. Nowadays, the competitions have been replaced with cultural programmes that are completely separate from the sports competitions. Plays, concerts, ballets and exhibitions are held in the city, region and even the country hosting the Games. Numerous artists, designers, architects, choreographers and musicians play an active part in the success of the Games, be it through the construction of stadiums and other competition venues, the Look of the Games (logos, pictograms and mascots) or the opening and closing ceremonies. Whether through sport, art or culture, everyone can take part in the great celebration of the Olympic Games, which offer an opportunity to open up to and better understand other people. The characteristics of the modern Olympic Games © The Olympic Museum Olympic sports 9 Olympic sports The Olympic programme includes all the sports in the Olympic Games. The IOC sets the programme and decides which sports will be included. The IOC also has the right to add or remove any sport, discipline or event. Sport − For a sport to be made an Olympic sport it has to be governed by an International Federation recognised by the IOC Exemples: Swimming at the Games is governed by the International Swimming Federation (FINA); Skating by the International Skating Union (ISU). Discipline − An Olympic sport comprises one or several disciplines. Exemples: Water polo and diving are disciplines of swimming. Speed skating and figure skating are disciplines of skating. Event − A discipline includes one or more events or competitions. An event gives rise to a result for which medals and diplomas are awarded. Exemples: The 10m platform for women is a diving event. The men’s 500m is a speed skating event. Criteria for being an Olympic sport In order to be included in the Olympic programme, a sport must be governed by an International Federation which complies with the Olympic Charter and applies the World Anti-Doping Code. If it is widely practised around the world and satisfies a number of criteria established by the IOC Session, a recognised sport may be added to the Olympic programme. Since 2000, there has been little change to the number of sports on the programme of the Summer and Winter Games, but rather changes to events in order to limit the size of the Games. Summer Games sports In Athens in 1896, nine sports were on the programme: athletics, cycling, fencing, The Modern Olympic Games 1 1. OG Beijing 2008. Athletics, pole vault – final. Elena ISINBAEVA (RUS) 1st. © 2008 / International Olympic Committee (IOC) / KISHIMOTO, Tsutomu © The Olympic Museum 10 gymnastics, weightlifting, wrestling, swimming, tennis and shooting. The Olympic programme has come a long way since then: some sports have been discontinued (e.g. polo and baseball); others were dropped and then reintroduced (e.g. archery and tennis), while several new sports have been added (e.g. triathlon and taekwondo). At the 2004 Games in Athens, the programme included the nine original sports plus a further 19: rowing, badminton, baseball, basketball, boxing, canoe/kayak, equestrian sports, football, handball, hockey, judo, modern pentathlon, softball, taekwondo, table tennis, archery, triathlon, sailing and volleyball. This represented a total of 301 events! The two major sports on the programme of the Summer Games are athletics and swimming. These are the most widely followed Olympic sports in the world. They also have the largest number of events and greatest number of participants from different countries. Athletics consists of a wide range of events: jumping, throwing, and sprint, middle-distance and long-distance races. Some of these were performed at the ancient Olympic Games: foot races (varying distances), the javelin throw, the discus throw and the long jump. The first swimming competitions at the Olympic Games took place in the sea or  in a river. Today competitions take place in a 50m swimming pool, usually indoors. The current programme includes the following disciplines: swimming (freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly), water polo, diving and synchronised swimming. Winter Games sports Winter sports made their Olympic debut at … the Summer Games in London in 1908! Figure skating competitions were organised for men, women and pairs. The experience was repeated at the Antwerp Games in 1920, along with an ice hockey tournament. It was in Chamonix in 1924 that winter sports finally got their own Olympic Games. Six sports were on the programme: bobsleigh, curling, ice hockey, figure and speed skating, skiing (cross-country and ski jumping) and the military patrol race. Some sports were missing from the official programme for several editions of the Games before being reintroduced. One example is skeleton, which featured at the 1928 and 1948 Games in St Moritz, before returning to the programme for the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City. The number of sports at the Winter Games has remained relatively stable over the years. At the Vancouver Games in 2010, there were seven sports – biathlon, bobsleigh, curling, ice hockey, luge, skating and skiing. However, the number The Modern Olympic Games Olympic sports 1. OG London 2012, Swimming – Michael PHELPS (USA), © 2012 / International Olympic Committee (IOC) / FURLONG, Christopher 2. OG Vancouver 2010, Men ice-hockey – Game for the bronze medal, Finland (FIN) 3rd – Slovakia (SLO) © 2010 / International Olympic Committee (IOC) / EVANS, Jason 1 2 © The Olympic Museum 11 of events has increased considerably: in 2010, there were 86 on the programme! Of the 15 disciplines in the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, only Nordic combined is not yet open to women. The three main sports on the Winter Games programme are skating, skiing and ice hockey. Skating has the longest Olympic history, having figured for the first time on the programme of the London Games in 1908. Women made their debut in figure skating at the Olympic Winter Games, but speed skating was not open to them until 1960. Held in the open air until 1956, the skating events now take place indoors. Skiing is the sport with the largest number of disciplines. Cross-country skiing is the oldest discipline and snowboarding is the newest one (1998 Games in Nagano, Japan). Alpine skiing appeared relatively late: it was on the programme of the 1936 Games, but it was not until the 1948 Games in St Moritz (Switzerland) that a more complete programme for men and women was organised. In 1952, giant slalom was added to the programme. Introduced in 1988, the super-G is the newest Olympic Alpine skiing event. Ice hockey, like skating and skiing, is one of the sports that helped launching the Olympic Winter Games. Hockey is very popular and attracts large audiences. It is a spectacular sport in which the puck travels at speeds up to 180km/h. Demonstration sports Thanks to their popularity, the Games have provided a showcase for a number of sports. These were known as demonstration sports, which featured as an addition to the Olympic programme until 1992, when this concept was abandoned. › At the 1956 Games in Melbourne, there was Australian football, one of the national sports; › At the 1988 Games in Seoul, it was bowling, a sport unknown in the host country, Korea. › At the 1992 Games in Barcelona, it was Basque pelota, roller hockey and taekwondo. There have been many different sports at the Winter Games. Some have been featured as demonstration sports (e.g. skijoring, bandy, winter pentathlon and freestyle skiing). For more information about the Olympic sports, go to the IOC website The Modern Olympic Games Olympic sports 1 1. OG Chamonix 1924, Figure skating. © 1924/ International Olympic Committee (IOC) © The Olympic Museum 12 1 1. OG Beijing 2008. Athletics, 100m Men – semi final, start. © 2008 / International Olympic Committee (IOC) / KISHIMOTO, Tsutomu © The Olympic Museum 13 The Modern Olympic Games Athletes at the Olympic Games Athletes atthe Olympic Games The challenge of the Games The prospect of being selected for the Olympic Games is the dream of the majority of athletes. Enormous reserves of willpower and many years of dedicated training are required to achieve such a goal. The athletes that qualify for the Games can consider themselves as being among the world’s best. They will become Olympians, whether or not they win a medal. Taking part in the Games is what matters to the majority of the competitors: having the honour of representing their country and marching behind their flag at the Opening Ceremony, mixing with elite athletes, and having the opportunity to give their best. That is what the spirit of the Olympic Games is all about! Pierre de Coubertin knew this already at the start of the 20th century: “ […] In these Olympiads, the important thing is not winning but taking part. […] What counts in life is not the victory but the struggle; the essential thing is not to conquer but to fight well.” 2 Almost a century later, at the Olympic Games in Sydney, the spirit was the same. Canadian athlete Perdita Felicien explains why taking part in the Games was so important to her: “Even though I was eliminated in the preliminary round of the 100m hurdles, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Even though the months of religious training and the exhausting 30 hours of flight to Sydney only meant exactly 13.21 seconds of running on the hottest track in the world that day, it was beyond worth it.” 3 In order to participate in the Olympic Games, athletes have to abide by the Olympic Charter and the rules of the International Federation (IF) responsible for their sport. The IFs organise qualification events, while the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of the athlete’s country is responsible for entering athletes to the Games. Athletes with more than one nationality may compete for the country of their choice. However, if they have already represented one country either at the Games or another major sports event, they may not compete for a different country before three years have elapsed. There is no age limit for competing in the Olympic Games, except for the one What is the Olympic Charter? It is an official document containing all the rules to be followed and explaining the role and mission of each Olympic Movement stakeholder. 1. OG London 2012, Opening Ceremony, Athletes Parade of the Costa Rica delegation. © 2012 / International Olympic Committee (IOC) / EVANS, Jason 2. Olympic Review, July 1908, p. 110. (Extract from a speech given at the Olympic Games in London in 1908). 3. Comments made on her athletics team’s website, 27 November 2000. 1 © The Olympic Museum 14 The Modern Olympic Games Athletes at the Olympic Games imposed by individual IFs for health reasons. In some sports, such as equestrian, fencing and sailing, athletes can enjoy very long Olympic careers, sometimes as long as 40 years! By entering the Olympic Games, athletes are making a commitment to respect the Olympic values and agree to undergo doping tests. Throughout the Games, tests are carried out under the authority of the IOC and its Medical Commission. Tests may be conducted before or during the Games. For individual sports, tests are performed on each athlete who places among the top five in each event, plus two other athletes (in the heats or the final) chosen at random. For team sports, or other sports in which teams are rewarded, testing is performed throughout the period of the Olympic Games. Life in the Olympic Village Upon their arrival in the host city, athletes stay in the Olympic Village. While at the Games, their time is not devoted exclusively to competing: it is also an opportunity for them to meet other athletes from different countries and cultures. Communal life is good for encouraging contact between athletes from different sports or representatives from remote countries. All inhabitants of the Village agree: it is not about the comfort of the surroundings or the quality of services, what counts is the relationships created between athletes of the entire world. Anita L. De Frantz, Olympian and IOC member, said of her experience in the Village: “For two to four weeks, the Village becomes the home for the elite athletes of the world. It was there that I realised that excellence comes in every shape, size, race and sex. It was there that I realised that an Olympian is one who can respect every individual based on the effort that it takes to become an Olympian. It was there that I learned that each sport takes special skills and determination for a person to ascend to the top.” 2 Today’s Olympic Village is almost a city! It is usually located close to the competition venues and its construction is taken very seriously during preparations for the Games. In London in 2012, for example, the Village accommodated over 17,000 athletes and officials! Inhabitants of the village benefit from many advantages. They can eat in the Village restaurant 24 hours a day, have their hair cut, go clubbing or attend evening concerts. When the Games have finished, the Olympic Village becomes a new residential area for the city, and the housing is sold or rented to the local population. Athletes have not always benefitted from this type of accommodation. 1. OG London 2012, Athletes while jogging in the Olympic Village. © 2012 / International Olympic Committee (IOC) / EVANS, Jason 2. Olympic Message, no. 33, July 1992. 1 © The Olympic Museum 15 The Modern Olympic Games Athletes at the Olympic Games Before the Los Angeles Games in 1932 they stayed in a variety of places: Shipshape accommodation There was no Olympic Village for the athletes at the first few Olympic Games. Some of them stayed in hotels or hostels. Others chose cheaper accommodation in schools or barracks. And some slept in the boats they had taken to the Olympic city. This was the case at the Amsterdam Games in 1928, when the Americans, Italians and Finns stayed in the harbour! All in the same village The first true Olympic Village was built for the 1932 Games in Los Angeles. Athletes (men only) from 37 countries ate, slept and trained together. For the first time certain community services were provided: a hospital, a fire station and a post office. In the early days women stayed in hotels, not the Olympic Village. It was not until the 1956 Games in Melbourne that the Olympic Village was open to both sexes. © The Olympic Museum 16 The Modern Olympic Games VICTORY Victory The moment of victory is symbolised by the athlete stepping onto the podium to receive his or her medal. Yet this ceremony has not always existed! The various elements of the ceremony entered Olympic history at different times. THE MEDAL’S ICONOGRAPHY The Summer Games medals In the beginning, Olympic medals varied from one Olympiad to the next. At the first modern Games in Athens in 1896, winners were rewarded with an olive wreath and a silver medal, while the runners-up received a bronze medal and a laurel wreath. Gold, silver and bronze medals were not awarded until 1904. From the Amsterdam Games in 1928, when the medals were standardised, until the 2000 Games in Sydney, the medals remained almost unchanged. The obverse showed a seated, wingless figure of Victory holding a wreath in one hand and a palm frond in the other. In the background appeared an arena similar to the Coliseum in Rome. The reverse had to show a victorious athlete being borne upon the shoulders of the crowd. Since 1972, only the obverse of the medal remained the same. The reverse was modified for each Olympiad. Then, in 2004, the iconography changed dramatically. A representation of Nike from the Olympia Museum now features on the obverse of the summer Games medals. She appears to be descending from the sky to land in the Panathinaiko Stadium, recalling the place where the first modern Games were held in Athens in 1896. In the background the Acropolis can be seen. The Winter Games medals The Winter Games medals are not subject to the same constraints. There are no rules stipulating a particular shape or design. Even the materials may vary: the medals of the Albertville Games (France) included a crystal disc; the Lillehammer (Norway) medals had a granite element, and the medals of the Nagano Games (Japan) were partially worked in lacquer. In fact, every Olympic Winter Games has seen an original medal designed. Medal ceremonies Since the Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid (USA) in 1932, the medals have been awarded on a podium. The winner takes the centre spot, on the highest step. He or she receives a gold medal and the title of Olympic champion. The second placed athlete is to the winner’s right and receives a silver medal. The 1. Athenes 2004, winner’s medal (gold) © IOC 1 © The Olympic Museum 17 third placed athlete is to the winner’s left and receives a bronze medal. The national flags of the three winners are hoisted and the national anthem of the Olympic champion is played. The first eight in each event receive a diploma and their names are read out. Only the first three receive a medal in addition. Celebrity of the champions After the Olympic Games, the champions often become superstars and role models for many people. The Olympic Charter stipulates that the names of the athletes who win a gold medal must be engraved on the walls of the main stadium in the city hosting the Games. However, a medal is not always a guarantee of celebrity. If it is won in a little known sport with low media coverage, a medal alone will not suffice to attract the interest of the sponsors or the general public. But whether or not they are winners, everyone who takes part in the Games takes home with them the memory of an exceptional human experience. The Modern Olympic Games VICTORY 1 1. OG Vancouver 2010, Medal ceremony for crosscountry ski, 50km Men mass start free. © 2010 / International Olympic Committee (IOC) © The Olympic Museum 18 The Modern Olympic Games The Games and their era The Games and their era The Olympic Games are much more than just a series of sports competitions. Technological progress in the last century helped turn them into an international event eagerly awaited and followed by people all over the world. Everything that happens during the Games is reported and analysed by thousands of journalists and experts. So it is quite understandable that, at certain points in recent history, governments have exploited the Games for political or diplomatic ends (sometimes, sadly, to the detriment of sport). Developments in technology In little over a century, the Olympic Games have become a global event. Two major technological revolutions have contributed to this: in transport and the media. Improved transport – easier access to the Games Depending on the city and country hosting the Games, athletes are obliged to travel greater or lesser distances. For the 1904 Games in St Louis and the 1932 Games in Los Angeles, in the USA, the number of participants was much lower because many athletes were unable to make and afford such a long journey. The majority of host cities prior to World War II were European, and the athletes who took part in the Games were mostly Westerners. In 1956, the Games took place in Oceania (Australia). For the first time, most of the 3,178 competitors travelled by plane to Melbourne. This novel development, which was possible thanks to the growth of air transport, quickly became essential to the organisation of the Olympic Games. In 1964 it was the turn of the Asian continent to host the Games, which were held in the city of Tokyo in Japan; then, in 1968, it was Latin America, with the Games in Mexico City. The Olympic Games have now been held on every continent except Africa. Development of the media - Games accessible to everyone Television made an enormous contribution to the growing popularity of the Olympic Games. The first tests were carried out in 1936 and 1948. And the first live television broadcast of the competitions was in 1956, at the Winter Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo (Italy). Beginning with the 1960 Games in Rome (Italy), the majority of the European continent benefited from live broadcasts of the competitions. For the United States, Canada and Japan, a tape was flown out every day, which meant that the competitions could be screened with just a few hours’ delay. With a couple of weeks’ delay, the images were transferred onto A long journey − For the 1932 Games in Los Angeles, European athletes first had to travel to New York by boat. They then crossed the American continent by train to Los Angeles (a total travel time of three weeks!). They returned the same way. Some competitors had to save up their holiday entitlement for three years in order to have the 10 weeks’ leave they needed for the Olympic adventure! © The Olympic Museum 19 The Modern Olympic Games The Games and their era film and sent to Asia, Africa, Oceania and South America. The Olympic audience ended up being far larger than just the spectators present in the stadium. Since the 1964 Games in Tokyo (Japan), satellites have transmitted images with just a few seconds’ delay. Today, viewers all over the world can follow the champions’ achievements live. In 1968, the Olympic Winter Games in Grenoble (France) were the first to be broadcast live on colour television. Thanks to further technological developments, picture quality has improved enormously and has reached a high level of perfection. Slow motion shots mean that an athlete’s movements can be seen in great detail and underwater cameras even take the audience into the swimming pool with the competitors. Television networks buy broadcasting rights for the Games, thus providing approximately half of the Olympic Movement’s income. The IOC nonenetheless enables less well-off broadcasters to show coverage of the Olympic Games. This means that sports lovers all over the world can follow the performances of the champions. This has helped the Olympic Games to become one of the most watched sporting events in the world! Political and diplomatic exploitation of the Games Being at the forefront of the international stage, the Olympic Games have the potential to be used as a propaganda tool and an instrument of political interests. Here are some of the better-known examples › 1936 in Berlin (Germany): the Nazi regime appropriated the Games. In the years leading up to 1936, several governments and sports organisations expressed their concerns about the regime and its policies. The threat of a boycott hung over the Games. In the end, it was more individual convictions that prevented certain athletes from attending. › 1956 in Melbourne (Australia): the Suez crisis and Soviet oppression in Hungary provoked a strong reaction from some countries, which refused to send their athletes to the Games. › 1968 in Mexico City (Mexico): American athletes Tommy Smith and John Carlos demonstrated against the racism in the USA. As they stood on the podium to receive their medals for the 200m, they raised black-gloved fists and bowed their heads when the American flag was raised. This gesture was their way of showing their support for the “Black Power” movement which was fighting the discrimination against black people in the USA. As a result, they were disqualified. › 1972 in Munich (Germany): Palestinian terrorists took Israeli athletes hostage. What is a boycott? − It is the voluntary severing of relations with a person, country or other group in order to exert pressure. Boycotts at the Olympic Games occur when a government refuses to allow its athletes to attend the Games. 1 1. OG London 2012, Photographers at the Women Triathlon © 2012 / International Olympic Committee (IOC) / FURLONG, Christopher © The Olympic Museum 20 The Modern Olympic Games The Games and their era The event ended in tragedy, with nine hostages executed and the death of a policeman and two other members of the Israeli delegation. The terrorists were killed by the police. › 1976 in Montreal (Canada): 22 countries (mostly African) boycotted the Games to protest against a recent tour of South Africa, which imposed apartheid, by the New Zealand rugby team. › 1980 in Moscow (Soviet Union): the United States called for a global boycott in response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. American athletes were forbidden to take part in the Games under threat of having their passports confiscated. Other countries followed the US example and stayed away from Moscow. › 1984 in Los Angeles (USA): in response to the American boycott of 1980, the Soviet Union refused to attend the Games. The official reasons given were the commercialisation of the Games and insufficient guarantees of athletes’ safety. The diplomatic role of the Games If the Games are used for political ends, the Olympic ideal is placed under threat. Nevertheless, the Olympic Games can be used to improve relations between countries and communities. › Since the 1950s, the Olympic Games have provided an opportunity for newly created countries to show the world they exist. Their appearance at the Games has often led to more widespread international recognition (e.g. certain African countries, republics of the former Soviet Union). It has even been the case that the participation of certain athletes in the Games has preceded the political creation of their country (e.g. Timor Leste, a small country located next to Indonesia, which has been independent since 2002). › The end of the apartheid regime allowed South Africa to participate again in the Olympic Games at the 1992 Games in Barcelona (Spain). The victory lap, hand-in-hand, of Ethiopia’s Derartu Tulu, who won the women’s 10,000 metres, and her South African rival Elana Meyer symbolised this change and became one of the highlights of these Games. › At the Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Games in Sydney (Australia), South Korea and North Korea paraded together under a single flag. This act was unprecedented since the breakdown in diplomatic relations between the two countries after the Korean War (1950-1953). › Also in Sydney, the status of the Aborigines was front page news, and several events were organised to make their claims known. The final stage of the torch relay was entrusted to Aboriginal athlete Cathy Freeman, and the culture of the Aboriginal people was a highlight of the Opening Ceremony. 1 1. OG Barcelona 1992 Athletics. 10000m Women – final, Derartu TULU (ETH) 1st and Elana MEYER (RSA) 2nd. © 1992 / IOPP / SASAHARA, Koji © The Olympic Museum 21 The Modern Olympic Games The Games and their era The Geography of the Games Games of the Olympiad (Summer Games) Olympiad Year City Country Continent I 1896 Athens Greece Europe II 1900 Paris France Europe III 1904 St Louis USA North America IV 1908 London United Kingdom Europe V 1912 Stockholm Sweden Europe VI 1916 World War I: The Olympiad was not celebrated VII 1920 Antwerp Belgium Europe VIII 1924 Paris France Europe IX 1928 Amsterdam The Netherlands Europe X 1932 Los Angeles USA North America XI 1936 Berlin Germany Europe XII 1940 World War II: The Olympiad was not celebrated XIII 1944 World War II: The Olympiad was not celebrated XIV 1948 London United Kingdom Europe XV 1952 Helsinki Finland Europe XVI 1956 Melbourne Stockholm (Equestrian Games Australia Sweden Oceania Europe XVII 1960 Rome Italy Europe XVIII 1964 Tokyo Japan Asia XIX 1968 Mexico City Mexico Latin America XX 1972 Munich Germany Europe XXI 1976 Montreal Canada North America XXII 1980 Moscow USSR Europe XXIII 1984 Los Angeles USA North America XXIV 1988 Seoul South Korea Asia XXV 1992 Barcelona Spain Europe XXVI 1996 Atlanta USA North America XXVII 2000 Sydney Australia Oceania XXVIII 2004 Athens Greece Europe XXIX 2008 Beijing China Asia XXX 2012 London United Kingdom Europe XXXI 2016 Rio de Janeiro Brazil Latin America 1. OG Helsinki 1952 Men’s 10km walk: medal ceremony © 1952 / International Olympic Committee (IOC) 1 © The Olympic Museum 22 The Modern Olympic Games The Games and their era Winter Games Number Year City Country Continent 1st 1924 Chamonix France Europe 2nd 1928 St Moritz Switzerland Europe 3rd 1932 Lake Placid USA North America 4th 1936 Garmisch-Partenkirchen Germany Europe 1940 World War II: The Olympiad was not celebrated 1944 World War II: The Olympiad was not celebrated 5th 1948 St Moritz Switzerland Europe 6th 1952 Oslo Norway Europe 7th 1956 Cortina d’Ampezzo Italy Europe 8th 1960 Squaw Valley USA North America 9th 1964 Innsbruck Austria Europe 10th 1968 Grenoble France Europe 11th 1972 Sapporo Japan Asia 12th 1976 Innsbruck Austria Europe 13th 1980 Lake Placid USA North America 14th 1984 Sarajevo Yugoslavia Europe 15th 1988 Calgary Canada North America 16th 1992 Albertville France Europe 17th 1994 Lillehammer Norway Europe 18th 1998 Nagano Japan Asia 19th 2002 Salt Lake City USA North America 20th 2006 Turin Italy Europe 21th 2010 Vancouver Canada North America 22th 2014 Sotchi Russia Europe 23th 2018 PyeongChang South Korea Asia 1. OG Sydney 2000, Closing Ceremony – Gathering of athletes in the stadium. © 2000 / Kishimoto / IOC / NAGAYA, Yo 1 The Olympiads are counted even if the Games do not take place! © The Olympic Museum 23 The Modern Olympic Games Activities - Selective Bibliography Activities Schools – subject area: human and social sciences Look at a globe or a map of the world and locate the Olympic Games host cities. Discuss the geographical distribution of the Summer and Winter Games. Write an article on an athlete who has taken part in the Games but who did not win a medal: describe his/her feelings, emotions and experience. Find out about an Olympic sport. Pick a sport you don’t know from the list of sports on the programme of the Summer or Winter Games. Do some research and prepare a fact sheet on it, including the names of some athletes who practise the sport. Imagine some costumes that could be used at the opening ceremony of the next Olympic Games. Choose a theme and sketch some designs. Identify some other major events that bring people together like the Olympic Games. Make a list of them and identify their similarities and differences. Find some other examples of the interplay between the Olympic Games and the historical, political or cultural situation of the time. Selective Bibliography Young readers › The Olympic Museum. How well do you know the Olympic Games? Lausanne: The Olympic Museum, 3rd edition, 2011 › Clive Gifford.Summer Olympics: the definitive guide to the world's greatest sports celebration Boston: Kingfisher, 2004 › David Fischer. The encyclopedia of the summer Olympics New York [etc.]: Franklin Watts, 2003 › Middleton, Haydn. Modern Olympic Games Chicago: Heinemann Library, 2000 © The Olympic Museum 24 The Modern Olympic Games Teachers › David Miller. The official history of the Olympic Games and the IOC: Athens to London 1984-2012 / by David Miller Edinburgh: Mainstream, 2012
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