Women

IT SHOULD NOT BE PAINFUL TO TALK PERIODS 

"Girl things."

They were just two little words that came out of Heather Watson’s mouth after her disappointing first round loss at the Australian Open.

It was clear that the promising young Brit was not at the races against Tsvetana Pironkova despite winning her second WTA title the week before.

Before the mention of the 'girl thing' thing, the media had struggled to make sense of what was wrong. Low energy, a virus, a return of glandular fever - everyone was guessing what the problem was.

Not for one moment did anyone think that Heather Watson may be suffering because she was simply on her period. You know the monthly cycle that women go through so that the species doesn’t run out.

And to me, that is absurd.

That period pains do not seem to exist when it comes to sportswomen. With the profile of women’s sport on the up, I still can’t think of a single instance when a competitor has pointed at her ovaries when asked what went wrong out there.

‘Talk to this troublesome duo, they know!’

But now two words from Watson – and we are finally talking about the dreaded P word - PERIODS.

In this article the BBC talks to a selection of sportswomen about the effect periods had on their careers. The article is hastily put together but never-matter because it is the comment section at the bottom which is far more interesting. Once again it provides an opportunity for some men to say women are making a fuss about nothing and questioning whether the subject is worth talking about.

Why the bloody hell not? If we rightly dedicate online space to mental health problems, why can’t we have an open chat about period pains? Because they only affect women?

If you are woman, have friends who are women, are married to a woman - you are probably well accustomed to hot-water bottles, strained faces and quiet mumblings ‘I am on my period.’ Just Google period pains and you will be left in no doubt about the extent to which many women suffer.

And there is no reason to suggest sportswomen are any different.

So if there are women on the pitch, court or track struggling due to period pains, shouldn't we want to know about? Isn't it weird that we don't? Hey women folk, why aren't you speaking out?

It's a complicated matter - but I believe some women don’t like talking about periods because they are not sexy or deemed particularly attractive or palatable by either sex.

But I don’t think this is why sportswomen never (and it really does seem to be never) mention period pains. If Paula Radcliffe can poo in the street, I’m pretty sure she would happily wave her bloody tampon at you. No, these sweaty women who contort their faces, grunt and pant are worried about something far more important than looks: using an excuse.

These tough women who have dedicated their lives to being the cream of the crop want to be taken seriously. By men just as much as by women. The mere mention of period pains (as has been shown from the reaction to the BBC article) leads to men cramping up. (So I suppose at least in some way they know how we feel.)

Imagine sitting in a press conference of predominantly men and telling them the reason you didn’t win Wimbledon, an Olympic gold, the marathon was because Aunty flow came to visit. It would sound weak, it would be uncomfortable for everyone – better just tell them that your cat died…

Or to smile and say it wasn’t your day. Or to not blame anything at all.

After all, these women are tough… but we must question whether they are being too tough?

The main reason I think this issue deserves attention boils down to honesty. Aren’t we all so much happier when we are honest? A burden is lifted off our shoulders, others can relate to our difficulties, nobody feels alone, there are less taboos, people can live freely.

The pain, that horrible pain, for many women returns monthly to destroy some women's lives. A bit more honesty might help. Less pressure to pretend, more empathy from others – it could be just what our ovaries ordered.

Sportswomen’s silence could be putting unreal expectations into the minds of young girls who want to reach for the stars but their ovaries aren’t letting them.

I am so grateful to Heather Watson for uttering those two words ‘girl things’ – this conversation is thoroughly overdue.

                                                       A SIGNIFICANT FRIENDLY

England take to Wembley turf for the first time against tough opposition

Published in the Evening Standard

It takes Alex Scott a moment to remember when England last lost a competitive match. Under Head Coach Mark Sampson, England breezed through qualifying for the 2015 World Cup in Canada with 10 wins out of 10. Away from World Cup qualification, England recorded an impressive 4-0 victory over Sweden, a team ranked above Sampson’s side in the FIFA rankings.

“The last time we lost a competitive match must have been at the Euros last year. It’s something I haven’t really thought about,” the England and Arsenal defender told Standard Sport.

“I think we knew as players we should be beating the teams in our qualifying group but to score so many goals, and concede only one, we couldn’t do much better than that.”

While 2014 has been full of victories and goals, England’s women still have plenty to prove against Germany on Sunday after crashing out of the 2013 European Championships in the group stages. The early exit led to the departure of Hope Powell who had been in charge for 15 years.

Scott seems happy under the reign of Sampson, who has brought a fresh look to a team that often featured a familiar group of players.

“Mark has come in and changed the philosophy, the buzz around the team. We are going into games a lot more positive. He has freshened things up and there are some really exciting and young players coming through.”

One particularly young and exciting player is 21-year-old Fran Kirby, a striker for WSL 2 side Reading who scored 29 goals last season. Sampson’s bold decision to integrate a player from the second tier of the WSL looks to have paid off and Kirby was named Women of the Match on her debut against Sweden.

“If she keeps going the way she’s going, Fran has a big future in the women’s game. That’s the good thing about Mark, if you play well you are going to get a chance.,” says Scott.

Kirby and company will have to be in fine fettle if they are to upset the European Champions Germany – a team who also recorded the perfect World Cup qualifying campaign and are ranked World Number 2, five places above England.

Not only will the record crowd spur them on but also their poor record against their European rivals. England have never beaten Germany and the last time the teams met Germany denied England the 2009 European Championships title.

When asked to name Germany’s danger players, Scott is not sure where to start: “They are a force. There are so many dangerous players and they keep coming at you, they are relentless. Alexandra Pop is an amazing midfielder, she is so strong and technically gifted . They will be a real challenge.”

A victory on the pitch is important, but arguably a more important victory has already been achieved. The match against Germany marks the first time the England women’s team have played at Wembley and the capped 55,000 crowd is well above what anyone predicted.

“This is a special occasion and a great time for women’s football. When Great Britain played Brazil everyone thought it was Olympic fever but this match shows the interest is there and we need to put on a good show to keep fans coming back.”

Scott says playing at Wembley for England is a childhood dream but she will not be a bundle of nerves on the big occasion. The unofficial team DJ is more likely to be found dancing or making sure nerves don’t get the better of less experienced players. Scott believes the match is the ideal test before playing in front of big crowds in Canada next summer.  

Whether the players like it or not - the future of women’s football is tied to the results England achieve on the pitch.

“In order to capitalise on this support, we must do well in the World Cup next year. The media are now covering our matches and putting women’s football in people’s faces. We need to achieve results that keep us in the media so people can connect with us and follow the story and our progress.”

With clubs such as Liverpool and Manchester City investing more into their women’s sides, the top flight of women’s football finally has the competitive edge it has been lacking. An exciting climax to the 2014 season, which saw reigning Champions Liverpool edge to victory over Chelsea, has no doubt wetted the appetite for the fixture at Wembley. Unfortunately for Scott, all this competition means Arsenal no longer run away with the title year after year.

“Crowd figures are up across the board. Man City get good crowd averages and Arsenal do at Boreham Wood. But we need to make sure these 55,000 fans filter down into the women’s game.”

“We are role models and seeing us play makes young players realise they can make a career out of playing football. Many never looked at women’s football like this before, but now girls are believing they can become professional and make a salary out of the sport.”

                                   HOW MURRAY GOT US TALKING ABOUT WOMEN                    

Published on Al Jazeera English.com

When Andy Murray and coach Ivan Lendl parted ways in March, the rumour mill churned into life. Who could replace the man that had helped Murray become the first British male to win Wimbledon in 77 years.

The answer came in the form that many were not expecting: a woman.

Despite being a former Wimbledon champion herself, something Lendl never managed to achieve, Amelie Mauresmo's appointment raised a few eyebrows.

The reason was two-fold. Firstly, at the tender age of 34 Amelie had limited experience. Secondly, she was not the gender that many people expected to coach one of the world's finest tennis players.

In men's tennis women coaches are a rare breed. Other than Murray, there are only two men in the top 70 with female coaches.

Perhaps even stranger is that there is a noticeable lack of women coaches in the WTA with the top 20 women all coached by men.

While it would be easy to point the finger at a sexist attitude in tennis, the issue is far more complicated than that.

"It is hard for women to coach because there is a lot of travelling. Coaches have to be on the road for 20-40 weeks and for women with kids and family it is hard to be away," Israeli tennis player Shahar Pe'er said at Wimbledon.

"When I was 12-14 I had a ladies coach but then she got pregnant and couldn't coach me anymore."

British Fed Cup coach and captain Judy Murray agrees that travelling and motherhood make it difficult for some women but believes there are other reasons for the lack of female guidance.

"There isn't a particular clear pathway for women to get to the top," Judy Murray told me on the day her son Andy progressed to the third round.

"And there are financial considerations. Many players can only afford one person to travel with them so someone who can act as a hitting partner and coach suits men a lot better. Only the top players can afford big teams."

While the practicalities favour male coaches in the men's tournament Judy Murray rues the lack of women coaches on the WTA and says it would be good to have more women around.

Despite Judy and Andy blazing a new trail for women, there is little doubt the reigning Wimbledon champion wanted the best person for the job. That gender never was the issue.

This viewpoint is supported by another man who broke with tradition to appoint a woman.

"For me I just look if a coach can help," Mikhail Kukushin said after his first round victory over Dudi Sela at Wimbledon.

"I never look if that person is a man, woman, old or young. My wife has coached me for many years and we have good results together and that's why I continue it."

Can women do it?

There are those who question whether a woman can match up to a man.

Australian player Marinko Matosevic said he would never employ a female coach and did not think highly of the women's game, and former Wimbledon champion Virginia Wade mocked Murray's choice.

But Denis Istomin who is also coached by a woman, his mother, believes it can be an advantage.

"It is good being coached by my mother although she is not here for this Wimbledon. She watches on TV but even if she didn't see the match she still knows what I need to do!" Istomin said jokingly after his first round victory.

"It's not easy to say but women are smarter than men in some ways. Mauresmo could have some good advice and it may be a great decision. Andy was also coached by his mother so he knows how it works."

Judy Murray can find no reason why women cannot coach men.

"I've worked with girls and boys and most of my successes have been with boys, maybe because I had boys of my own. It is about dealing with who is in front of you and getting to know their personality."

After coaching Andy and Jamie Murray - who is competing in the doubles at Wimbledon - few would argue about her ability to coach boys. But what about men?

Gender bias

While travelling demands and maternal responsibilities are reasons for fewer female coaches reaching the top levels, it is unclear why former champions such as Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean-King aren't being snapped up.

Especially as there is a growing trend to bring former champions into the coaching set-up, as Roger Federer's appointment of Stefan Edberg and Novak Djokovic's recent partnership with Boris Becker has shown.

Is there still a conservative culture in tennis which would prefer the status quo?

"In tennis it is more difficult to put women in than other sports, even football," says Istomin.

"It is not easy to put a woman into a group of men because they cannot talk about some parts of their life with her. It is not that women cannot give advice to men - they can - but men feel like they cannot be the same team. I think this is the main point.

"In football the women coaches can coach women teams but in tennis it is not easy. Maybe one day when people change and everyone is closer to each other, it will be more equal."

                                                

                                                 WSL AND THE TRANSFER BUZZ 

Alex Scott's Arsenal no longer have it all their own way!

Published on Al Jazeera English.com

Mention the transfer window to a European football fan, and their mind jumps to January and the last opportunity for their club to buy players that could determine Champions League spots, relegation or more likely mid-league mediocrity.

The January transfer window blows open with such ferocity that it scarcely matters if any big signings are made. Even if high-profile moves are lacking, the rumour mill grinds its teeth to chalky stumps while fans' excitement accelerates to fever pitch until the window slams shut in everyone's faces. 

However, over the last month, a more understated transfer market has been quietly ticking along quite nicely. Better than ever before, in fact. This transfer market has also seen the movement of players from Arsenal to Manchester City, Birmingham to Chelsea, England to North America - but without such fanfare. And while none of these players call the Premier League home, they owe their growing demand to the success of the men's game. 

It has been a long time coming but the UK's big clubs are finally awakening to the potential of women's football. And the flurry of transfer activity in the Women's Super League is clear evidence of that. While 2013 was a landmark season for the WSL, 2014 promises to be even more significant.The 2014 season sees the arrival of Manchester City - and a second tier of ten teams entering the fray. With the possibility of promotion and relegation, the WSL is starting to resemble a league with greater sponsorship and marketing opportunities.

The arrival of the UK's richest club is certainly a good sign. But before we talk about City, we should spare a few words for Liverpool.The 2013 season was a landmark season because it was the first time in a decade Arsenal did not win the league. It was also the first time anyone other than Arsenal held the WSL trophy, since its inauguration in 2011.The was not due to a slump in quality from the Arsenal players but rather the growing importance of signing talent, either from home or overseas.

"It hurt," Arsenal and England defender Alex Scott told me when the Gunners' historic failure came into the conversation.

"It was a really competitive season. Liverpool Ladies pretty much got rid of their whole team and bought a new one, and then went on to win the league.

"Buying a new team seems a lazy way of achieving success - but in the competitive world of football, transfers cannot be avoided.

After releasing 10 players, Liverpool manager Matt Beard signed foreign acquisitions from the United States, New Zealand, Iceland, Sweden and Germany. This was a watershed moment for the women's game, as overseas players rarely moved to England. A nation obsessed with the men's version had always lagged behind countries like the United States, who were at the forefront of development.

"The league is getting more competitive. It's great for women's football that it is going this way and that we are getting backing and financial support from the men's team," says Scott at England's national training headquarters, St. George's Park.

"I never get bored of winning with Arsenal but at the same time it's good for women's football overall."

Competition

But Scott's Arsenal have more to worry about than Liverpool next season.Manchester City have blasted into the WSL with all guns blazing and are spending cash in a similar vein to the way Roberto Mancini did with the men's team (albeit with a few zeros missing from the weekly wage). 

Last week saw City add Arsenal's top talent Stephanie Houghton to a haul that includes three other England internationals - Jill Scott, Karen Bardsley and Toni Duggan.Defender Houghton, who scores more than most strikers, is a massive loss for the Gunners who have also sold Kim Little to Seattle Reign in the U.S.

"I'm so glad that City came in for me because as soon as I heard their plans for the future, I knew I wanted to be part of it," the former Sunderland and Leeds player told City's website.

City used to compete in the Women's Premier League, the division below the WSL, but were approved by the FA to join the top tier of the WSL – while Doncaster Belles were demoted.After formalising their partnership with Manchester City Football Club, the Sky Blues now have the bonus of financial backing and support from the men's team.

This decision is part of an ongoing campaign to expand and strengthen City's national and global brand - which has seen them purchase a major league soccer franchise in New York and unveil plans for a $160m training facility across the road from their Etihad Stadium.Instead of Arsenal running away with the title, there are now four teams (Bristol also finished above the Gunners in 2013) who consider themselves up for the cup. 

The competitive edge once missing is now there. The English FA has been busy paving the way for this process. Chairman Greg Dyke intends to grow women's football into the second-largest participation sport in England, and last year general secretary Alex Horne pledged just under $6 million to develop the game over the next four years.Alex Scott is one of many footballers feeling the difference.

"There is a market for women's football in this country and the men's teams are seeing the benefits of working with the ladies team and integrating the two markets alongside each other," she says.

"Clubs are becoming one. There is 'One Arsenal' and that can be a powerful club ethos and marketing tool.

"The thing that makes me happy is when I'm at games and I have young boys asking for autographs. That's the most important thing. They are the next generation and they don't think anything of going up to a woman footballer. They don't believe that only men should be playing football. They are used to seeing women as role models on TV and in the public eye and it is a normal thing for them."

If women playing football has become "normal", then there is nothing unusual about this recent transfer activity. WSL signings are yet to cause waves among mainstream football fans. But the fact they are happening is a sign of intent from a women's game that has been waiting in the wings for a long time.

                                           A WOMAN'S VIEW OF A MAN'S WORLD

A quota system helped Espelund into the Norweigan FA

During my discussion with UEFA's Karen Espelund at the Leaders in Football conference on Thursday October 11th things were getting more complicated as they were getting clearer.

I was trying to understand again why so few women were involved in football.

I had asked UEFA’s first female executive member whether more women needed to be elected by football bodies like UEFA or if women should be encouraged into the game at the grassroots, i.e. by playing.

Espelund said it was a combination of both. It felt like a problematic truth.

Perhaps it is only by grasping the complexity of this issue that we can begin to understand why, in Espelund’s words, "International football is still a man’s world".

The need for changes at both the top and bottom, and perhaps through the middle too, explain why progress has been so slow.

Espelund is one of the only trailblazers for women in football administration. She was lucky enough to be welcomed at grassroot level as a player and then helped at the top. It is undoubtedly a combination few women get to experience.

At the age of 27, Espelund was employed by the Norwegian FA simply because the law dictated a woman should be there.

This was a start – the rest was up to her.

While this is a personal reason for Espelund to back the quota system, there is a more general reason to support it.

"The quota system needs to be used when an institution is conservative. These old fashioned institutions need tools to open up a different type of competence," said Espelund.

Espelund demonstrates the importance of help from the top, but the grassroots level is crucial. For this is where women should be flowing into the game, not getting stuck.

The reason why Espelund entered an intimidating male-dominated world is because she loved playing football and wants to protect a young girl’s right to play.

It is a simple desire.

Almost getting there

The media should play a crucial part to stimulate women’s football at the grassroot level, but it doesn’t always.

And it is important to question why.

After last year’s Leaders in Football conference, I asked event Chairman and former FA exec David Davies why there were no female speakers. He was regretful but said there were few women at the top of the sport.

At this year’s Leaders in Football conference, there were two women speakers. Espelund herself and the first female on the English FA board, personable businesswoman Heather Rabbatts.

It was a small improvement.

There were also more female journalists in attendance and more men speaking of issues that concerned women, whether this was the recent hijab issue or the success of Japan’s team at the last World Cup.

As the media pack gathered around Rabbatts it was clear her views were not being dismissed because of her gender. For once I did not mind being bruised by an aggressive cameramen jostling for the best position.

It is not just in the FA and UEFA where women are finally finding themselves part of the agenda.

After Britain’s new culture secretary Maria Miller wrote a letter directly to the BBC asking them to treat women’s sport more fairly, their coverage has shifted.

BBC Two covered England’s crucial Euro qualifier against Croatia and the BBC Sport website has branched out to cover women stories. Only yesterday young England player Sophie Bradley spoke of how she still had a day job, something Ryan Giggs and the men’s team found hard to come to terms with when they met her.

However, instead of being angry about this inequality, Bradley laughed about it.

Perhaps she is on to something. Maybe resentment only gets women so far.

After all, as Espelund told me, there are more reasons to be positive.

"UEFA have introduced a development programme that includes what clubs, associations and UEFA should be doing. UEFA started by appointing me, as an example to other governing bodies."

"The FIFA Executive Committee (ExCo) have also appointed a woman into referees committee for the first time. Progress is being made".

But what about investing money into the women’s game?

"Over the next four years, we are investing 22 million euros into developing women and girl’s game. Each association will also have 100,000 euros each year for four years but they have to set up a development plan. Also 75% of UEFA association members are focusing on grassroots because that’s where investment works."

Yes, we are back to grassroots, again.

Thankfully, grassroots football has already received a welcome boost from the London Olympic Games.

The GB women’s football team were supported by 70,000 people at Wembley and it is likely the game resulted in more girls signing up to their local clubs.

"We need to build on the momentum from the Olympics," said Espelund.

"But this shouldn’t just be left to the women’s clubs but is something the FA needs to keep pushing."

Heather Rabbatts and Espelund are in the perfect position to ensure this happens. They are two of the few women who have had the balls to succeed in this male-driven world.

And until they are joined by other women, who are encouraged from the top, bottom or both, they are the best shot we have to change the status quo.

But heck, it is not an easy game.

                                   BLIGHTED BY COMPARISON

Lawyer and England footballer Eniola Aluko (Olivia &Alison)

This article featured in The Positive's online newspaper.

How do you write an article about women’s football without comparing it to the men’s game? How do you do justice to women who train as hard as men without getting distracted by inequality?

While the Olympics did its best to raise the profile of women’s football – with 70,000 people filling Wembley to see Team GB defeat Brazil — it remains to be seen whether this will have a lasting impact.

The Football Association’s ‘Game Changer’ plan – a five-year strategy announced at the end of last month with the intention of driving the women’s game forward — is a cause for optimism. But what is the reality of being a top female footballer today?

England and Birmingham striker, Eniola Aluko, is unlikely to welcome the opening comparison.

"It is frustrating how women’s football is always compared to men’s. It is a young sport so there is no reason it should take off straight away. It is still in the teething stage but gradually increasing in popularity," Aluko tells me.

Aluko raises an important point: women’s football is evolving and work has to be done before the game fulfils its Olympic promise. However, in a nation obsessed by men’s football and with the media often ignoring women’s sporting feats, how do you get away from inequality?

Development seems to be the answer. The FA’s continuing investment and growth at the grassroots level suggests success on the pitch will soon drive the narrative.

The Olympics showed it was possible. The GB team emblazoned the front and back pages during their campaign, opening London 2012, and quickly capturing the nation’s heart. "The Olympics were fantastic for women’s football," England’s Sue Smith tells me.

"The crowds and TV audiences were way above our expectations."

Smith’s engaging and spot-on TV analysis also proved that women could be successful as commentators. "I try not to let the inequality get to me. The men’s game is so advanced and we shouldn’t try to compete," says the Doncaster Rovers Belles player.

"We train just as hard and do all the things a professional footballer does but get little recognition."

Quite often female players do more. Nigerian-born Aluko manages to fit in a full-time career as a lawyer with training for England and Birmingham — Arsenal’s closest rivals for the title last season.

Her brother, Sone Aluko, plays for Championship team Hull City, and while their earnings from football differ, their training regimes don’t.

"We put in similar training hours. I train every day but not always with a team," Aluko says.

"England coach, Hope Powell, has been very understanding and I am very fortunate."

The introduction of the Women’s Super League in 2011 improved wages for players but most work part-time to make ends meet. However, the women’s game is starting to get more mainstream attention.

"There has been development at international level with bigger crowds turning up to matches, which was evident from the Olympics," says Aluko.

While attendances are frequently affected by the difficulty in getting to stadiums that are often on the outskirts of cities, the FA have ensured access to players is easier, making for a close relationship between fans and their idols. Every club in the WSL has a nominated digital ambassador who uses social media to connect with fans.

"Women footballers pride themselves on being approachable and that’s a big difference from the men. We always meet our fans post-match and reply to most of our tweets," says Smith, who is digital ambassador for Doncaster Rovers Belles.

During her time away from the pitch, 32-year-old Smith is kept busy with TV work and promoting sport in schools. While the Olympics did its best to inspire a generation of women footballers, development ultimately relies on people like Smith sharing their passion. She has already seen a difference over the last few years and believes there is a bright future.

"The young girls coming through are so talented because they had quality coaching from a young age. Women’s football is looking bright. I just wish I was ten years younger... "

                                QATAR'S WOMEN WIN MORE THAN GOLD

London 2012 was the first time all nations included women in their teams

The last time London hosted the Olympic Games it was 1948 and these words proudly hung over the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony.

The important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part

These words were first spoken by the founder of the modern games Baron de Coubertin. Since then they have been paraphrased by mum and dads across the world when dealing with overly-ambitious children.

But is it really the taking part that counts?

Try telling the most successful Olympian - American swimmer Michael Phelps - this and he would playfully splash water at you. Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt’s reaction is likely to be equally amusing.

But perhaps Coubertin's words of encouragement shouldn’t be so quickly mocked.

Because Olympic champions are only made if they are allowed to take part.

On Sunday August 5th, I met three inspiring young women on their way home after being knocked out in the early stages of the Olympics. But there was not a tear of disappointment nor look of resignation between them.

These athletes had already won something more valuable than an Olympic gold, or even eight – the chance to take part.

64 years on from London’s last Olympics, Qatar had sent four female athletes to the Games for the first time. In fact, London 2012 was the first time all nations had included female members.

Baron de Coubertin’s words would not have been out of place at Danny Boyle’s opening ceremony.

While talking to sprinter Noor Al-Malki, swimmer Nada Arakji and table tennis player Aia Mohamed it became clear how important their presence at the Games was.

These three friends – who proudly donned their maroon Qatari tracksuits and spoke of missing the Olympic Village – were the real history makers of the Games.

And by being part of the greatest sporting competition in the world - they are blessed. They have already fulfilled ambitions that were dreams to their mother's and grandmother's generation.

Noor, Nada and Aia symbolise a change in attitude toward’s women competing at the highest levels in their conservative nation. And with only 52 years between them they have their whole sporting careers ahead.

But now their Olympics are over, will they receive the support needed to one day win gold? Or are they just figureheads to appease the IOC and equal rights groups?

Although they wouldn’t be drawn on whether they faced discrimination or barriers during their journey to the Games, one thing they openly shared was a delight at being able to inspire peers and future generations.

“I was so proud at being able to represent my country. It felt great being there and entering the stadium” said 50m freestyle swimmer Nada Arakji.

“Being the first Qatari female swimmer at the Olympics will encourage younger generations to take up the sport.”

Sporting ambition

Quite understandably, at no stage did table tennis player Aia Mohamed feel the Olympics was a right of passage.

“The Olympics was in my heart but I didn’t realise I would be here. It is like a dream come true. I want younger players to live what we have just lived,” Aia said with emotion.

“It is every athletes dream to reach the Olympics and thank god I achieved that dream, and hopefully I will be there in Rio in 2016.”

Qatar - the host of the 2022 Football World Cup – is busy developing itself as a sporting cultural hub.

Despite losing out on the bid for the 2020 Olympics, Qatar will pursue the Games in the future.

“It is really important to host events like the World Cup because people from other countries will come and they will know we can do it. We have all the facilities in place and Qatar will bring lots of new things to the event,” said Aia.

It is hard to argue that Qatar does not have the resources to entertain the world but question marks still hang over their attitude to women pursuing Olympic success.

However, at such times as these criticism is unfair. By bringing women to the Olympics, Qatar, Brunei and Saudi Arabia have taken huge strides forward. They have been working closely with the IOC and there's no reason to believe this conversation will breakdown.

All three athletes I met were vocal (very vocal) about the huge amount of support they receive from friends, family, coaches, teachers, authorities and other athletes.

“Qatar supports us. Qatar is proud of us,” says 100m runner Noor Al-Malki.

So what next for these girls who quietly disappear from the Games without the hysteria that surrounds Michael Phelps, Ye Shiwen or Usain Bolt?

Will they one day stand on the podium celebrating gold instead of wondering whether they will be allowed to take part?

Yes, this small, young crop of female athletes have won their first battle – but the battle on the track, in the pool or by the table tennis table has only just begun.

Winning - that has to be the next step.

                         CAN OLYMPICS HEAL SPORT'S GENDER BIAS?

The Olympics are the perfect time to push women back into the spotlight 

In May 2011, I wrote an article about the demise of women’s sport in the UK.

To be more accurate it was about the media’s attitude towards women’s sport. Women were still playing sport in their numbers but the public heard very little about it. 

As sports coverage on every platform increased, pieces about women’s sports decreased. Men dominated the sports pages to such an extent that only 5% of media coverage was devoted to women’s sport in the UK. 

This male proliferation of the British sports media was difficult to excuse.

At a time when many sections of society worked hard to treat women and men equally, a completely different set of rules were being followed by TV execs and newspaper editors. 

Yes, more men play sport and read the back pages - but a 95% domination? Surely that was a figure worth getting angry about.

Times changing?

However, after observing sport's coverage over the last few months, I believe this 95% figure needs revising.      

Flicking through papers such as the UK’s Evening Standard and The Times, I have noticed more and more features dedicated to female athletes springing up. On February 18th, The Daily Telegraph ran a piece about the women’s Great British cycling team on its front page.

The Telegraph’s coverage not only highlighted how the GB team broke two world records in the space of 20 minutes but symbolised a crucial shift in sports reporting.

So what has accounted for this change? One needs to look to the future for the chief reason but also to the past for a likely stimulus.  

In November 2011, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) was left with egg on its face after it emerged not one woman had made the shortlist for their 2011 Sports Personality of the Year award. Despite memorable years for swimmers Rebecca Adlington and Keri-Anne Payne, women had been marginalised in the selection process.

As the BBC came under fire for its shortlist, women’s sports figures used the opportunity to show a general disapproval of how the media treats women. Inspirational figures such as Hope Powell, Dame Kelly Holmes and Baroness Grey-Thompson spoke out about the plight of women’s sport and how hard it was to drum up support and funding without the media’s backing.

The SPOTY debate gave the media reason to question its male-dominated coverage, but it is one upcoming event in particular that has pushed women back into the limelight. 

Olympic shift

With only months to go until the 2012 London Olympic Games, the media simply cannot ignore women’s contributions to sport any longer. Thankfully, the Olympics have galloped into town just in time to save the day and joust for coverage with a sport commonly known as football.

The Olympics give media outlets the opportunity to represent women more fairly while covering an event the British public want to hear more about.

Racism is the main issue journalists do not want to be tarnished with but charges of sexism during an Olympic year is hardly the most professional of appendage either. News outlets will be working hard not to be labelled chauvinistic during this global and inclusive celebration of sport. 

On a global level the Olympics play a crucial part in challenging inequalities. Qatar have already announced they will be sending women for the first time to the Olympics and the event has put pressure on Saudi Arabia by the Human Rights Watch to lift its ban on women playing competitive sports.

However, the UK is not above gender discrimination. Many features on women’s sporting accolades are hidden in mysterious and secret parts of newspapers, or hidden completely.

How many people know the England women’s cricket team are world champions or that the England women’s rugby team are currently defending their Six Nations crown? Did anyone hear that five female Great British football players were left without a club following the cancellation of the WPS in the United States?

Even pieces about Olympic hopefuls Keri-Anne Payne and Jennifer Ennis often start with a paragraph about boyfriends, weddings, fashion and nail acrylics.

Sadly a women’s talent does not always take precedence over her sexuality. This proves there’s still a lot of work to be done to challenge perceptions about female sports stars.

Even if things seem to be improving, journalists must continue to focus on female athletes so that the public (men and women) can interact with this marginalised world. It is important to learn more about female sports representatives so that when the Games begin we are familiar with the characters and care about what happens to them.

Who knows - if we are lucky - this interest will carry on past the Olympics. Through a positive and inclusive attitude to female sports figures more girls will be encouraged into sport – which is the whole point of making such a song and dance about this issue in the first place.

Sadly in the four years that have separated the last two Olympic Games women have gradually been pushed from the sports agenda. Due to this it will take some time and effort by the media and the public to get used to their reappearance.

But we must! Because it is unfair to ignore thousands of women who entertain us while competing in sports they love.

And the host nation should set an Olympic standard of sports reporting it can be proud of.

                         WHAT HAS A SPORTSWOMAN GOT TO DO?

Two time Olympic gold medalist Rebecca Adlington received an OBE in 2009

If you are a woman who loves sport, now is the time to get on your soap box and make a great big song and dance about it.

It is time the male-dominated sports media were awoken from their pre-21st century slumber.

“Wakey, wakey!” “Rise and shine!” Women are sick and tired of being ignored by your male-driven daily scribbles.

Although it was disappointing to see the British Broadcasting Company fail to include a single woman in their shortlist for the 2011 Sports Personality of the Year, it was equally predictable.

The sad truth is that women are not ‘sports personalities’ anymore. With the sports pages increasingly dictated by football, women have lost the media’s backing and support. Female sports personalities are a dying breed with the public kept in the dark about the women who dedicate their lives to the sports they love.

Not many people have heard of world champions Rebecca Adlington, Katherine Grainger and Kerri-Anne Payne, and this is why they failed to make it on to the shortlist. Their water-based accomplishments drown in each media storm around the latest FIFA scandal or Chelsea result.

However, while sportswomen are angry about this, really angry in some cases – it is action, not anger, that can help to change this sad situation. The silver-lining is that the absence of women in the BBC shortlist gives women (and hopefully also some men) the chance to publicise the raw deal sportswomen (and female sports fans) are being dealt by the British media.

It also gives us the chance, as several leading British sportswomen have already done, to criticise the BBC’s twisted nomination process for their 2011 Sports Personality of the Year. 

Just a quick glance at proceedings reveals a shoddy system that is indicative of the way women’s sport is treated in this country. The BBC hands over the nomination process to 27 newspaper and magazine editors.

There are two problems with this method. Firstly, all the editors are men. Secondly, and more crucially, the British print media lags behind the BBC and Sky Sports’ attitude towards women in sport.

Sports journalists at The Guardian, The Times, The Daily Mail, The Sun are predominantly male, and many yet to grasp the concept that both women and men want to see more female sports coverage. In fact, research carried out in 2010 showed more than 60% of UK sports fans would like to see more women's sports.

While most areas of the media, and society, work hard to achieve more equality for women, sports journalism is allowed to move backwards.

It’s Nuts

So who were the chosen publications voting for the Sports Personality of the Year? 

Reading down the list I was greeted by the usual suspects: The Independent, The Daily Mail, The Times, The Observer, The Sun, The Daily Telegraph. Then I saw a couple of words and gaped in horror. Nuts and Zoo Magazine... The plot had thickened.

It turns out that the well-respected BBC, which prides itself on equality and fairness, is relying on ‘sports experts’ at lad mags to identify their Sports Personality of the Year.

For those not familiar with the delights of Nuts or Zoo, these publications focus on a woman’s more superficial assets.

The sports editors at both establishments spend their days pondering which girl’s breasts deserve to go on their front cover. Women deserve a right to participate in sport but only if they are playing topless tennis.

The BBC should be embarrassed. They should be ashamed that, for even the briefest moment, they considered a lad’s magazine worthy of selecting a sport figure who can act as a positive role model in society. Ashamed they entrusted such a decision to publications that undress women rather than address their sporting accomplishments.

Is it too much to ask for a little common sense?  Former world champion Karen Pickering offered some in her reaction to the BBC’s 2011 shortlist.

She claimed the nomination process should shift from using sports editors to letting past winners of the award decide the shortlist that goes before the British public.

But instead of this view gaining support it will more likely leave people asking: who is Karen Pickering?