Sports columnist Furman Bisher of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution expressed much of the conventional wisdom of the sports page when he wrote, “What are we after, a race of Amazons? Do you want a companion or a broad that chews tobacco? What do you want for the darling daughter, a boudoir or a locker room full of cussing and bruises? A mother for your grandchildren or a hysterectomy?”That was stupid then, but stupid always sells for a while. Forty years on, the evidence is in and as always -- "thank goodness we passed this blessed piece of socialism", it's golden.
As of this moment the United States has won 39 gold medals -- and women account for 25 of them. From shooter Kim Rhode to tracks Allyson Felix to soccer's Alex Morgan; from gymnast Gabby Douglas to water polo player Maggie Stevens America's women are dominating -- thank goodness the men get to count dolphin hybrid Michael Phelps.
Particularly noteworthy is the dominance of women's team sports, sports that gained ground especially because of Title IX. The Women's basketball team, unlike the "dream team" of NBA stars has not lost an Olympic games in forever; the Women's soccer team has played in the gold-medal game every time it has been played and won the last 3 gold medals; the women's water polo team won it's first gold after being silver medalists the last two Olympics. [cross-posted at Firedoglake]