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20 female Olympians we love
Australia, basketball. Once a chubby, clumsy teen, Liz Cambage has risen to become one of Australia’s most promising basketballers, pulling off a most impressive slam dunk during the Opals’ match against Russia. Photo: Getty image
London 2012 has already been dubbed the Girl’s Games, with female competitors hogging the headlines. There’s Jessica on the track, Anna and Vicky in the velodrome, Missy and Shiwen in the pool, and who could forget that stunning performance from Sally Pearson?
These Olympics there is a higher proportion of lady athletes (44.4%), more female medals up for grabs (132), and this is the first Games in which women can participate in every sport, including boxing. Historically, it also marks the debut for female athletes from Saudi Arabia, Brunei and Qatar.
There’s hope that this shift will push women’s sport to a new level. With their power to smash records, close the gender gap, and act as alternative role models to the Kardashians, here are just a few competitors we’re cheering for.
