Tag Archive | Olympic Games

TITLE IX: FEMALE SPORTS: DR. RO KNOWS: forty years of Title IX has paid off in medal victories for girls and women at London’s 2012 Olympics

Aug19
Title IX 6/09/12

Title IX 6/09/12 (Photo credit: dianecordell)

By: Dr. Rosetta Stith

With the success of girls and women medalists at the Summer Olympics, age was not a factor.

The youngest,  Katie Ledecky, is 15 years of age from Bethesda, Maryland.

Gabby Douglass , America’s Golden Girl, is 16 and became the first African-American to win the Women’s All Around Gymnastics Competition.

Missy Franklin, age 17, broke the world record and won the 200 meter backstroke.

The most rewarding factor for those young girls is that they are still in high school. They were able to train and compete because 40 years ago, Title IX of the Civil Rights Act was enacted into law, and removed the barriers girls faced in the schools to engage in competitive sports.

How did girls and women end the 2012 Olympics? 

Triumphantly!

And that bodes well for their future success in the 2016 Olympics.

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LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS: the high school girl wonders!

Aug16
Missy Franklin

Missy Franklin (Photo credit: jdlasica)

By: Dr. Rosetta Stith                                        

Katie Ledecky, who recently turned  15 years old this past March, from Bethesda, Maryland, is the youngest high school member of the United States Olympic Team,  and new  comer on the international scene.

She astonished onlookers when she won her first major international event from start to finish in the  Women’s  800 Meter Free Style Final last Friday, August 3, 2012 breaking Janet Evans 23 year old record in 8 minutes, 14.63 seconds.

A half second from breaking  the world record,  Missy Franklin, 17 years old maintained utter dominance to win the 200 meter backstroke, and breaking the world record, and defeating the second –place finisher by nearly two seconds!  

There’s only one word to describe their accomplishments for the United States 2012 Olympic Teams, their families, friends, and their states:

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

The best part and value of these competitions for girls and women, is that there is more to come in future years. We need to give them our full support.

My last words: ‘Let’s Hear It For Our Girls And Women.’

WOMEN: Do not forget to encourage our younger girls to watch important sports events with you.

Ask them who was their favorite and why?

You may be surprised at what they will say, that is how it begins. 

Ask someone who knows: Ms. Natalie Hawkins, Gabrielle Douglas’ mother!

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LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS: Michael Phelps- A Man For All Seasons- Awarded the “ Greatest Olympic Athlete of All Times” for his 2012 Olympic legacy in London”

Aug16

English: U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps shows off...

                            By: Dr. Rosetta Stith                                                                                                                                                                                      

In some games it’s: “‘3 strikes’ and you are out!”

Not true for Michael Phelps, a young Baltimore  man who has earned three consecutive wins for the same swimming event, the 200 Meters Individual Medley. It has made him an international hero, and a shining athletic Olympic Star for the World, the United States, and his home State of Maryland.

Hats off to his wonderful and loving mother, Ms. Debbie Davisson Phelps,  and his supportive family and friends for the love and support which have allowed him to grow as a young boy and a strong young man. He was enabled to face the growing changes that life brings to our youth. He developed a positive message to disregard and understand unacceptable behaviors, apologize where needed, and continue to move forward as he has done for his self, his family, and his global fans.

That was apparent from the touching moments when he was captured on television networks looking at his family in the stands for their visual support and applause.

Phelps has earned 22 Olympic Medals from three consecutive Olympic Events (2004-Athens, 2008-Beijing, and 2012-London)

His final words to his family, his fans and the sport, “ I  did it!”

Congratulations, way to go Mr. Phelps!

You made us proud again as you now move on to new life ventures, chosen life paths, and your continual support to provide opportunities to teach children to learn how to swim just like you.

To me, this is a needed and valuable life lesson for them, because our children ‘must see to be’ if they are to learn, grow, see and appreciate what you have earned and accomplished.

They will want to be just like you!

I cannot think of a better person to provide and leave this path for children who want to put ‘sport’s on their list of things ’to learn and do’ so that they can be just like you!

Thank you, for all that you do, and your recent success could not have happened to a better person and role model!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

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GABBY DOUGLAS: DR. RO KNOWS: 16 year old African American gymnast, an American hero who made us proud, and an enduring and history making role model for young girls especially black girls to follow

Aug5

Gabby Douglas

By: Dr. Rosetta Stith

Gabrielle Douglas, a young lady just 16 years of age  captured our hearts and made us  all proud of her as America’s golden girl.  She is the first African-American  to win the Women’s All Around Gymnastics Competition at  London’s 2012 Olympics.

She did not quit, even though she had  enough hardships to overcome in her young life, and other reasons to do so. However, she was driven and wanted to seize the moment, and wow did she do it! She is only one of three women to reach this level of Olympic success.

What is also phenomenal about ‘Gabby’, is that she is 16 years old, still in high school, and is now America’s Newest Golden Girl.

How will she handle of all the fame, media attention, upcoming endorsements and branding offers?

I think this new fame will not become a problem because of her strong bond with her mother, Natalie Hawkins, her  wonderful and supportive family, friends, and her outstanding gymnastic team ( “The Fabulous Five“), and her instructors who will make sure that she has whatever she needs  for her new life.

Her success has earned her ‘a bright light and a shining star’ and a path for other girls to follow.

For  her new life, I know it will be filled with lots of love, pride, success and well earned dignity.

My congratulatory words for her –

” Thank  You Gabby, And You Continue To Go Girl ! ”

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