Dear Canadian female athletes,
Thank you for working hard, pushing boundaries and representing your country with the utmost determination.
As an athlete and a sports broadcaster, when I open up Facebook or turn on the TV and the top stories are “that athlete is wearing makeup” or “the wife of so-and-so just won a medal”, I throw my hands up in exasperation let out a holler—we are better than this. These women deserve our attention and support and most of all our respect, and what better place to do this then on the Olympic stage with the world watching?
I have been glued to my TV screen. I have been binge watching my favourite sport, and supporting my country’s athletes along with athletes from around the world. I have even had the pleasure of growing up playing beside some of the athletes in Rio. I have been able to watch the best female volleyball players in the world kick some serious ass.
Female athletes don’t get airtime like this on a regular basis, and I for one am not willing to miss the chance to watch the “non-mainstream” sports or athletes. In fact, they are pretty mainstream sports. They just don’t get the coverage they deserve.
I don’t care what you are wearing. I don’t care what you did with your hair. If you want to wear make up when you play because it makes you feel confident and beautiful— get it girl. I am watching you play the sport that you love at the highest possible level. And it’s so exciting!
These female athletes are inspiring the next generation. But even more so, they are inspiring their own generation. The fire is rekindled in me to get onto a court because I want to work just as hard as they do to keep playing my favourite sport.
So just for one moment all I am saying is cut the crap, take a step back and just admire these women. I sure am.
And let's not forget about the men, they're pretty good too.