The Olympics are a shining example of the athleticism and dedication of the world's most powerful, talented athletes. Over the course of the past two weeks, we have seen the "Final Five" achieve greatness, Michael Phelps receive his 28th and final Olympic medal, Katie Ledecky ruling her events and countless other successes. The Games of the XXXI Olympics have also been an incredible example of feminism and girl power.
1. U.S. and New Zealand runners help each other to the finish line.
In a preliminary heat of the women's 5,000 meters, middle-distance runners Abbey D'Agostino of the United States and Nikki Hamblin of New Zealand took a hard fall. D'Agostino accidentally clipped Hamblin with her spiked shoes, causing both athletes to tumble to the ground. D'Agostino was able to recover and then help Hamblin up from the ground.
After continuing with the race, D'Agostino collapsed to the ground once again because of a knee injury. This time, Hamblin helped D'Agostino to her feet and both athletes proceeded to help each other reach the finish line. Both athletes were given a spot in the semifinal round, but D'Agostino was unable to compete on account of a torn ACL and strained MLC. The selfless acts of the two women displayed immeasurable amounts of kindness and compassion and will live on as an example of excellent sportsmanship.
2. A match in Olympic beach volleyball displayed and celebrated differences in culture.
In a match between Egypt and Germany, one thing was clearly evident: the vast difference in the outfits of the two teams. The German players wore the traditional attire for the sport, a two-piece bikini, while the Egyptian players wore attire that showed very little of their bodies. This difference demonstrates that religious customs don't have any hindrance in competing at an Olympic level, but rather, bring people together.
3. The outpouring of love and support towards cyber-bullied gymnast, Alexa Moreno.
Hailing from Mexico, gymnast Alexa Moreno has been at the center online animosity, mostly regarding her weight. At just 99 pounds, she is one of the few women to represent Mexico in the Olympics and came in 31st place in the women's individual all-around. However, internet trolls targeted her relentlessly saying such cruel remarks as, "Alexa Moreno has the body of two gymnasts together, she should have gone on a diet before coming to the Olympics." However, the outpouring of love and kindness towards Moreno has greatly outweighed the criticism she has received. Thousands have reached out to the gymnast via Twitter and other social media outlets, praising her beauty, athleticism and strength in the face of hatred.
4. Fu Yuanhui broke the silence about menstruation in sports.
Fu Yuanhui, a Chinese swimmer, broke ground after coming in fourth place in the women's 4X100 meter medley relay. After the event, a reporter found the swimmer grimacing and asked her if she was in pain. Yuanhui responded, "Actually, my period started last night, so I'm feeling pretty weak and really tired. But, this isn't an excuse. At the end of the day, I just didn't swim very well."
The comment shed light on a topic that, especially in China, is seen as taboo. If menstruation is discussed in the country, it is often referred to in euphemisms such as "a visit from my aunt." In addition, feminine hygiene television ads are banned during prime viewing times. As a result, the use of tampons in the country is rare, as many women falsely believe that the products can rob a woman of their virginity. Fu Yuanhui's comments brought a topic shrouded in silence directly into the spotlight.
5. Michelle Carter became the first American woman to win gold in shot put.
Shot putter, Michelle Carter, achieved the great feat of winning the gold medal in her sport. The athlete has also been widely regarded and praised for her messages of body positivity. As a professional makeup artist, Carter has been bringing glamour to her event for years. Not only does she look stunning while competing, more importantly, she spreads messages of body acceptance and confidence to women everywhere.
There are countless more examples of how inspiring the women competitors of the Rio Olympics are as some are calling these games, "the most feminist Olympics ever."
