The Real Olympic Medals

The Olympics held in Tokyo this year, sent many countries home decked in medals, yet, the real medals weren’t only the ones made of metal. The space has become more inclusive and accepting than it was before, and though there is still plenty more we can change, here’s why this year’s Olympics will pave the way for future generations, and what your kids can learn from it.

Mothers

Canadian basketball player Kim Boucher pleaded to be allowed to bring her three-month-old, breastfeeding daughter along with her to Tokyo. The IOC declined her request due to pandemic restrictions, yet, after an increase in pressure by the media, they shifted their stance. Now, thanks to her own effort, and that of the public, Boucher attended the Olympics armed with her daughter.

American sprinter Allyson Felix had an unmatched legacy in the track field when she got pregnant in 2019, yet, she chose not to retire for the 2021 Olympics. She spoke out against the unfair treatment of pregnant athletes by Nike, and very soon the company began to face a wide array of public backlash. Now, due to her strength, Nike has updated their maternity policy to be more inclusive to pregnancies and maternity leaves.

Helen Glover became the first mother to become a part of the British Olympic rowing team. Not only has she accomplished such a feat, but her achievement brings to our notice how long even such a developed country took to reach such a milestone. l

The IOC (International Olympic Committee) had decided to take into account three competitions that had taken place during 2018-19, as the criteria to qualify for the Tokyo games. Mandy Bujold, a Canadian boxer was unable to participate in these tournaments due to her pregnancy. Strongly believing that being pregnant in 2018 is not a contributing factor to her participating in the 2021 Olympics, Bujold took her case to court, and won.

I am so proud that we’ve set a human rights precedent for female athletes now, and for the generations to come.

This has proven that once again, mothers aren’t weak, they are in fact the strongest of all people, and should be given the same respect, if not more, than anyone else.

LGBTQ+

Laurel Hubbard, a New Zealand weightlifter, was smashing stereotypes at the Olympics this year. She is the first transgender woman to compete in the games, and she participated in the 87+ kg. Though she didn’t qualify for another round, Hubbard is a trailblazer for diversity, and said that she was thankful to the Olympic committee “for living up to the Olympic value and showing that sport is for all and that weightlifting can be done by all types of people.”

Freedom of clothing

In badminton, PV Sindhu from India wore a dress. Soraya Aghaei Hajiagha from Iran wore a hijab, a dress and leggings. Many other female badminton players wore skirts, dresses, leggings, and whatever else they pleased to these games, and yet, triumphed.

In Gymnastics, the German women’s team wore full body suits in qualifications. This was in the hope that they could encourage women to feel more comfortable, and promote the fact that they had a choice in what they wore, and that it shouldn’t be dictated by others.

The Norwegian women’s beach handball team were fined 1,500 euros, simply for wearing shorts instead of bikini bottoms. Rules state that bikini bottoms must be a maximum width of 10cm and have a ‘close fit and cut an upward angle’.

The sexualization of female athletes is something that we cannot stand for, and should be stopped immediately. Is this really a sport? Or is the Olympics committee trying to turn their games into a fashion contest, where the models cant even choose what they wear?

Mental Health

Athletes are often seen as superhuman, as if they have no emotion, no need for rest, and can’t take breaks, not even for themselves. US Gymnast Simon Biles destroyed all these stereotypes in one swell swoop by stepping away from the Olympics, in order to take care of her mental health. This was not an easy choice, as she had high expectations for herself in the games, but gymnastics as a sport has a high risk of injury, and by choosing her mental health over a medal, Simone Biles not only saved herself from getting hurt, but also demolished the stigma around mental health within the athletic field.

Environment

Sustainability was thankfully implemented well at this year's Olympics.

Athletes stood on podiums made of recycled plastic to receive medals made of recycled small electronics. They were ferried in electric cars, therefore not generating a carbon emission. Even their beds were made of cardboard that could be further reused.

Conclusion

The Olympic games have the world watching, so whether it’s motherhood, freedom of choice, mental health, LGBTQ+ or the environment, what better place to make change?