While physical health is important to all of us right now, mental health must also be a priority.
It’s the same for many athletes, who are dealing with unprecedented changes in their lives and training routines as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds. Social distancing and isolation are generally not part of an elite athletes schedule.
For Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast of all time, the story is no different. The 23-year-old said recently she has no doubt she’ll be able to maintain her physical fitness over the course of the year, it’s her mental health that is more concerning. With an Olympic Games postponed that was supposed to be her last, her life has never been more uncertain. “It’s going to take its toll on me and all of us,” she said.
In other news, seven-time world champion surfer Stephanie Gilmore talks to Olympic Channel about equal pay in surfing and what more needs to be done for women in the sport. As of 2019, the World Surf League offers equal prize money to men and women but Gilmore says the next step is growing the number of women on tour.
And, following the success and record engagement of the T20 Women’s World Cup, the International Cricket Council is seriously considering selling the broadcast rights to future women’s international tournaments separately from the men’s. It’s great news for women’s cricket.
More sporting news in The Wrap below.
Know someone who’d enjoy The Sporty Wrap? Send them this link.
Madeline Hislop
Editor, The Sporty Wrap
***********
This is a preview of The Sporty Wrap, our weekly wrap on women’s sport and women working in sport. Sign up here.
***********
Here’s an overview of the latest sporting stories from around the web
ICC looking to uncouple men’s and women’s tournament rights in huge step for evolution of women’s cricket. The International Cricket Council is strongly considering unbundling the rights for women’s global tournaments to capitalise on growing interest in the women’s game, highlighted in the recent Twenty20 World Cup. The Telegraph
Stephanie Gilmore: The surfer with the winning smile on equal pay, motherhood & Cathy Freeman. Nicknamed ‘Happy Gilmore’, Steph Gilmore has a reputation for being kind – in addition to her killer competitive side. She was interviewed on the Olympic Channel Podcast recently, where shediscussed the Olympic Games, motherhood, pay equality and, being an inspiration. Olympic Channel
2020 AFLW All-Australian Squad: Who made the cut? The long-awaited list of the 40 players who have been named in the 2020 All-Australian squad has been announced by the AFL. All 14 teams had at least one player named in the squad, the Magpies leading with 5 nominations.The Women’s Game
The breast cancer survivor determined to make her fifth Olympic Games in 2021. Chaunté Lowe, a four-time Olympic high jumper and bronze medalist, was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. With the Olympics now postponed to 2021, the high jumper is more determined than ever to make it to Tokyo. CNN
*******
Get The Sporty Wrap in your inbox, our weekly update on women in sport
*******