The 2012 Olympic Games kicked off last night in a blazing ceremony in London’s West End. The Games brings enough excitement on its own. A symbol of diplomacy, peace and honest competition, the Olympics represents people—from around the world—at their best. This year, women are taking center stage. Here are but a few reasons to root for the ladies this year:
Working moms rule. Belgium gold medalist Tia Hellebaut carried the flag for her nation during the opening ceremonies. Since the Beijing games in 2008, Hellebaut has had two children and she’s back to compete in the High Jump. And Malaysia’s shooter, Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi, is nine months pregnant. She may not win a metal but she’s sure to bring home a prize before the games are over.
Saudi Arabia sends women athletes to the Olympic games for the first time, causing feminists to rejoice and the oppressors within Islam to keep doing what they do. Their presence, however, is revolutionary.
With Brunei and Qatar also sending female athletes to the Olympics for the first time, this is the first time all participating countries (more than 200) have women athletes on their teams.
Women outnumber men on the U.S. Olympic team for the first time. 269:261.
Team USA’s Claressa “T-Rex” Shields is a 17-year-old middlweight from Flint, Mich., vying for gold in women’s boxing, a new event at the London Olympics. Kind of the definition of “kick-ass” right here.