The Olympics – a spectacle of glory, heartwarming moments, heartbreak, and everything in between. The highlight of an athletes career is playing for their country in such a renowned and historical tournament.
This year competing for three medals – gold, silver and bronze and a chance to have their name written in the history books are Australia, Zambia, USA, Germany, Spain, Japan, Canada, France, New Zealand, Nigeria, Brazil and Columbia.
All of these teams qualified through their nations qualification process. The Olympics is full of unexpected results and surprises as twelve teams battle it out to make history, with only three taking the top honours. The favourites for France 2024 include current Olympic gold medalist Canada, current World Cup winners Spain and the team with the most history in this competition (4 gold medals, 1 silver and 1 bronze) – the USA, under new manger Emma Hayes. Hayes is looking to build on her club success and turn it to international success. Although Germany also have a lot of potential with one gold medal and three bronze, they are without star player Lena Oberdorf.
Last year, Canada took Olympic Gold and they are looking to defend their title and secure the gold.
The Olympics is important not only for sport, but for everyone in the world. The Olympic movement aims to foster peace and improve the world by educating youth through sports, emphasising non-discrimination and ensuring that sports are played with friendship, solidarity, and fair play. These core values are crucial to women’s football, as we strive to embody and promote them. Additionally, we are committed to creating a healthy environment and atmosphere for players, fans, and staff within the women’s game.
The Olympics is important to women’s football because it provides the opportunity for players to showcase their talent on one of the worlds biggest stages, alongside the promotion of their national team and the game. For the fans it provides the opportunity to watch their favourite teams and players on the biggest stage, be part of a community, form friendships and be involved in the sport that they love.
I asked Finley Chung, a dedicated women’s football fan and journalist, “What does women’s football at the Olympics mean to you?” He responded:
“It means the world to me, it’s an area of football I love watching, often with differing squads and playing styles too! For personal reasons, the gold medal match in the last Olympics was the first been I properly worked on and it was a simply incredible experience.”
Another women’s football fan and journalist, Daisy Goodhand, discussed the importance of the Olympics to her:
“The tournament always provides shock results and showcases individual talent, I can’t wait to see who comes out on top. The Olympics was one of the first times I watched women’s football, so it means a lot to me”
For me, women’s football at the Olympics is an opportunity to connect with diverse groups of people, each bringing unique opinions and cultures. This shared passion for women’s football allows me to learn from others while celebrating a sport that is deeply rooted in community and holds significant importance for many, including myself.
From its ban in 1921 to its official inclusion in the Olympics in 1996, women’s football has grown immensely, becoming a global phenomenon by 2024. The Olympics not only highlight the growth of women’s football but also underscore its vital role in promoting gender equality in sports.
Women’s Football at the Olympics runs until Saturday 10th August. Please see your local TV guide to find out how to watch.
Photo – https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/canada-olympic-football-paris-2024-b2419331.html
