Dr. La Quita D. Frederick’s Post

Here's my radical proposal for a new Olympics. Brace yourself, it's weird.   Everyone's tying themselves into knots over whether it's right that Imane Khelif was able to defeat Angela Carini in the women's boxing on Thursday.  Khelif has a uterus, was born and raised a women, but is said to have XY chromosomes (unclear if true) and has previously been disqualified from the 2023 championships.    I think there's a different root problem here, which goes to the heart of the way the Olympics is designed: It's built around men's abilities.   Strength, speed.   That's great! We should celebrate those things.   But women's bodies are different and have different strengths. We have superpowers like conceiving and giving birth. We have a lower centre of gravity. We have more body fat.     We can never be the fastest runners, or the strongest boxers.   We can only ever compete with each other - and then we get tied into knots about who's allowed to play with us.   If you close your eyes and try hard enough, you could imagine a completely different Olympics. One with events that are based around women's natural strengths.   These events could be open to men too. A true equal playing field.   You could have events based around - Flexibility - Agility - Balance - Long periods of endurance   You could have events like: Acrobats. Contortion. Hiding. Ice baths. (What else?)   Don't believe this is possible? Here's an example of something NOT in the Olympics that very easily could be: ultradistance running. Women are amazing at ultradistance running, and absolutely compete with men on an equal playing field.   In 2019, British ultra-runner Jasmin Paris won a 268-mile race in 83 hours, 12 minutes, smashing the course record by 12 hours. AND SHE STOPPED TO EXPRESS BREAST MILK along the way!   Just like the workplace needs an overhaul to allow working parents to thrive on an equal footing, the Olympics needs an overhaul to allow women to thrive on an equal footing. What do you think - just crazy enough it might work?   🔃 Repost if you like weird plans for the Olympics, and follow Rachel Carrell for more like this (but not usually this weird)

The Paris Olympic Games were a testament to the incredible power and resilience of women in sports. As a female personal trainer deeply committed to women’s empowerment and education, seeing women athletes dominate the world stage is not just inspiring—it’s a call to action. 🏅 According to an NBC article, if American women athletes were their own nation, they’d rank third in the medal count at the Olympics. This is incredible. But this isn’t just about medals; it’s about redefining what strength and success look like. Women from all walks of life proved that dedication, hard work, and a supportive community could propel us to greatness. These athletes have become role models, showing us all that the limits we often perceive are merely stepping stones to achieving the extraordinary. 💥 Meanwhile, Today’s story about the impact of the Olympic women’s rugby team on young girls is equally powerful. The next generation is being inspired to take up sports and is learning values like perseverance, teamwork, and self-belief. This aligns perfectly with my mission as a trainer: to empower women to break through their barriers, whether in the gym or life. Sports teach us more than just physical skills; they teach us confidence, discipline, and the importance of community—all crucial elements in our journey toward empowerment and success. ➡️ For me, the 2024 Olympics proved that when women come together, whether on a global stage or in our local gyms, we are an unstoppable force. Let’s continue to support, uplift, and educate one another, building a community where every woman feels empowered to reach her fullest potential—on the field, in the gym, and beyond. https://lnkd.in/eUiTVcXz https://lnkd.in/eFkQY5K4 #paris2024 #olympics2024 #womeninsports #womenseducation #femalestrengthcoach #athletics #InspirationalWomen #WomenWhoLead

In the last three Olympics the majority of U.S. medals were won by women despite fewer overall medal and participation opportunities. In the 2020 Tokyo games, 58.4% of medals won by U.S. women was their highest-ever percentage. 2024 is the first Olympics with an equal number of male and female participants. And so far, the US medal trend continues. It's taken awhile, but people are finally waking up to the fact that, yes, women's sports are exciting and worthy of coverage and investment on a large scale. It's taken an enormous burden of proof but here's hoping we continue to see a sharp upward trajectory in the growth of women's sports. https://lnkd.in/ehvsU7qy

The Paris Olympics 2024 came to a close this past Sunday, and we wanted to take some time to highlight some global historic firsts from these amazing athletes! 🥇 However, it’s imperative to acknowledge how especially this year, several athletes had to endure and triumph through online hate, disrespect, and controversies. As the conversation and backlash around DEI continues back home, The U.S. Olympic team demonstrated to the world that our diversity is actually our strength. In the 2024 Paris Olympics, U.S. women made a significant impact by winning a total of 67 medals—26 gold, 23 silver, and 18 bronze. If the U.S. women's team were considered as a separate country, they would rank 4th overall in the medal standings, surpassing nations like Japan and Great Britain, based solely on their female athletes' achievements. The Olympic Games is not just about sports; it’s about inspiring change, fostering understanding, and building a more inclusive world. Let’s continue celebrating diversity within our own social networks and unite as a society to uplift those around us. Together, we can create a world where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Let’s keep this same momentum for the upcoming Paralympics that begins on August 28th! 🏆 #ParisOlympics #Olympics #InclusivityMatters #Diversity

Join me and the BAFTSS Performance & Stardom SIG for our latest event, an online roundtable on the topic “Sporting Celebrity” on Wednesday, 11th December 2024 at 5:00-6:30pm (GMT)/12:00-1:30pm (EST).   2024 has been a remarkable year for sports, featuring big international events such as the Men’s UEFA Euros 2024, which saw Spain take the win, and the Paris Olympics and Paralympics during the summer. At the Olympics, GOATs like gymnast Simone Biles have had a triumphal comeback, others such as diver Tom Daley have announced their retirement, and returning stars like swimmer Katie Ledecky and pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis have broken their own records. A similar success has marked the Paralympics, which saw the first ever medal for the Refugee Team with tae kwon do athlete Zakia Khudadadi’s bronze, 7-months pregnant archer Jodie Grinham go for bronze, and the highest ever number of women representatives. However, these events have been also mired in controversies, from the infamous breakdancing competition featuring Australian breaker (and academic) Rachel Gunn to the backlash over the gender identity and bodies of boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting.   As sportspeople increasingly claim the spotlight and the status of celebrity, either for their professional achievements or their public persona beyond the competition (e.g., American football player Travis Kelce), issues regarding their stardom and performance come to the forefront. Taking the past summer of sports as a springboard for discussion, the online roundtable will examine issues such as the performance and labour required from sports celebrities, on the field and beyond; gender, race, ability and embodied performance; structural inequalities in sports; and negotiating authenticity in sport performances and media (self-) presentation, among the others.   We have invited a panel of experts who will be in conversation on the topic, including Dr Thomas Alcott (Aberystwyth University), Dr Courtney M. Cox (University of Oregon), and Professor P. David Howe (Western University). If you'd like to attend the roundtable, please get in touch for the Zoom link. Hope to see many of you there!

The Championship will coincide with the men’s Olympic event in Paris — where women still can’t compete. SMDH. 😠 • For more sports biz stories like this one, subscribe to our free, 3x-weekly sports biz newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/eYH82ywF • The pentathlon — essentially a non-stop marathon of five different track and field activities — originated in ancient Greece over 2000 years ago. The modern decathlon, which consists of 10 consecutive events such as running, jumping, and throwing, has been practiced in the U.S. since the late 1800s and was first included in the 1912 Olympics. 👀 • Despite decathlon events existing for women outside of the Olympics, women have only been allowed to compete in a seven-event heptathlon starting at the 1984 LA Olympics. American decathlete Lauren Kuntz called this a vestige of “historical sexism,” which ultimately set the stage for today’s lack of financial resources and visibility. 😔 • Backed by women’s sports power players Parity and Gainbridge, Ico for All’s world championships is being organized by Kuntz and will feature over 30 athletes from 10 countries, including U.S. phenoms Jordyn Bruce and Katie Straus. 🤝 • In addition to the main event, the org is putting on an icosathlon (aka a double decathlon) with 20 different track and field events. The competition will be open to all genders, ages, and abilities, a winning strategy to include more athletes in another version of the sport that — you guessed it — also excludes women. 🤦♀️ • Paris 2024 is touting its gender parity in both the number of athletes and events, but that overlooks the fact that only men have the opportunity to participate in the decathlon while women can only compete in the seven-event heptathlon. • While women have been fighting for inclusion into the event for decades, the recent involvement of powerful sponsors like Parity and Gainbridge can help athletes overcome the hurdles of being sidelined and excluded from the Games. If you can’t join them, leave them. 🤷♀️

Congratulations, Ms Imane Khelif: You’ve struck GOLD! Your incredible achievement shines even brighter given the challenges you've overcome. Through sheer hard work, unwavering dedication, and boundless passion, you've proven that nothing can stand in the way of greatness. You are truly an Olympic star! LATEST UPDATE The weirds, the mads, and the uglies have tried to bludgeon her, shred her, and throw her to the dogs, but it has only made her stronger. Ms Imane Khelif is through to the final for gold! ORIGINAL POST The media and public treatment of Ms. Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer competing in the Paris Olympic Games, has been disgracefully harsh and deeply humiliating. This onslaught began with cavalier comments from high-profile, ill-informed personalities such as Richard Dawkins and Elon Musk, followed more recently by JK Rowling and Bill Durodie (for the latter see his comments in this post). And guess who else has joined the fray? Donald J Trump! The claim that Ms. Khelif is a man is entirely false and baseless. She is not transgender; this is simply fake news. However, she may exhibit elevated levels of testosterone, a symptom of hyperandrogenism. Medical experts would explain that higher testosterone levels in women who participate in combative sports (along with other factors specific to Imane's upbringing) make her condition perfectly normal. Some argue that women with this condition might have an advantage in athletic competitions. However, we could similarly argue that athletes with natural advantages, such as exceptional height in basketball, also benefit greatly in their respective sports. The issue is not whether certain traits confer athletic advantages but whether those advantages are so significant and undeniable that they should prevent a woman athlete like Ms. Khelif from competing against other women in her weight class. The International Olympic Committee has unequivocally concluded that women in her situation are fully eligible to compete. @Paris 2024 Olympics (link in comment). Richard Dawkins University of Oxford Elon Musk, Tesla and SpaceX News by Newslines X/Twitter Accounts Solution JK. Rowling & Co. Bill Durodie University of Bath Donald J. Trump For President 2024, Inc. Women in Sport Women in Sports Barney Ronay

Here are my key takeaways from the 2024 Olympics so far: The 2024 Olympics are a monumental milestone as the first-ever gender-equal Olympics, with 50% of all athletes being women. Here are some inspiring highlights: - Summer McIntosh: Proving that age is just a number, Summer McIntosh, at only 17, is already a two-time Olympic champion. Her determination and preparation have led her to challenge the status quo and achieve greatness. - Canadian Women’s Soccer Team: Despite facing a major setback with the "drone" scandal and losing 6 points due to a FIFA decision, the Canadian Women's Soccer Team didn't give up. They won all their group matches and advanced to the next level, showing that the sky is truly the limit. - Nada Hafez: When someone tells you that you can't, prove them wrong. Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez did just that by competing in the Olympics while pregnant, breaking clichés and setting an example of perseverance and strength. - Simone Biles: Three years after withdrawing from the team final at the Tokyo Olympics due to mental health challenges, Simone Biles returned stronger than ever. Despite critics calling her a loser, she believed in herself and won Olympic gold in the women’s all-around final at the France Olympics. These examples, all women, remind us to embrace a more equal world. Believe in yourself, challenge the norms, and strive for greatness! #Olympics2024 #Inspiration #GenderEquality #WomenInSports #SummerMcIntosh #CanadianSoccer #NadaHafez #SimoneBiles #BelieveInYourself #ChallengeTheNorms #Perseverance #StriveForGreatness #Equality

Celebrating Women Empowerment through the Paris 2024 Olympics Logo 🌟 The Paris 2024 Olympics logo is more than just a design—it’s a powerful tribute to women's empowerment, woven into every line and curve. This logo celebrates the values and history of the Games while highlighting the remarkable achievements of women athletes, incorporating three key elements: 🏅 The Gold Medal: Symbolizing achievement, it represents not only the triumph of the Olympic and Paralympic heroes but also the dedication and perseverance of all athletes striving for excellence. This medal honors every individual who gives their all. 🔥 The Flame: Embodying the shared energy of the Games, it evokes a sense of unity and passion. The flame has historically signified hope and perseverance. It inspires us to embrace boldness and tackle today’s challenges with innovative approaches. 👩 Marianne: As the personification of France, Marianne embodies the spirit of creativity and humanism that mirrors the values of the Olympics and Paralympics. Her presence in French culture, from stamps to town halls, reinforces commitment to organizing the Games with and for the people. What’s fascinating is how this logo allows for varied interpretations—some see a woman, while others see the flame. This duality is particularly poignant given that the first time women competed in the Olympics was at the 1900 Games in Paris. Some interesting facts about our Indian women athletes at the Olympics – 🇮🇳 - On July 21, 1952, at just 17 years old, Nilima Ghose made history as the first Indian woman to participate in the Olympics, competing in the women's 100m heat. - Karnam Malleswari became India's first woman to win an Olympic medal, achieving this milestone in weightlifting at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Her success marked a significant moment in both Olympic and Indian sports history. - PT Usha, known as the “Payyoli Express,” narrowly missed a medal in the 400m hurdles at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics by just 0.01 seconds after an impressive qualifying performance. She now leads as the President of the Indian Olympic Association. As we look ahead to Paris 2024, we are excited to witness the remarkable performances of our female athletes, and we are confident they will shine even brighter. 🌟 #Paris2024 #Olympics #Design #Symbolism #WomenInSport #Inspiration.

📡🥇🏟️ Broadcasting the Paris 2024 Paralympics: The Chicken or the Egg Dilemma 🐔🥚🐣 🧐 I've always wondered about the "chicken or egg" dilemma in the media, and the Paralympics are a great case: do certain topics like women's and Para sports lag in popularity due to less coverage, or is it the other way around? As this year's Olympic audiences were off the charts, the Paris 2024 Paralympics might provide some answers. ⬇️ 📺 For the first time ever, the Paralympics will enjoy live coverage for all 22 sports across 160+ countries! 🌍 The key goal, maybe as opposed to meeting demand as is the case for more popular sporting events, is to raise awareness by elevating Para sports' global perception. Visibility is crucial, not just for the athletes competing but for broader inclusivity and representation in sports, and beyond. The Paralympics platform can engage and inspire audiences differently than the 'traditional' Olympics. ➡️ With over 1,300 hours of live sport, Paris 2024 could indeed challenge traditional views, and prove that visibility drives audience reach. 📈 Interest in the Paralympics has doubled in eight years, with a 20% increase in media rights revenue from Tokyo 2020. 💰 🤔 So, what do we think? Will Paris 2024 prove that visibility precedes popularity? By giving Para sports equal exposure, are broadcasters shaping interest or are they just reflecting it? I believe the responsibilities are shared, from broadcasters' choices to audiences actually tuning in and demanding more exposure for themes in sports and other topics as well. Let the games begin! 🥚🐣🥇 #Paralympics #Paris2024 #SportsBroadcasting #ChickenOrEgg #Inclusion