12 young women to watch at the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics
These athletes are breaking down barriers for girls in their sports and in their communities.
Throughout history, female athletes have been making strides for equality on and off the field.
Japanese mountaineer Junko Tabei — the first woman to reach the top of Mount Everest — fought to make the male-dominated sport more accessible to women and championed environmental conservation. High jumper Eroseanna Robinson was one of the first American athletes to refuse to stand for the national anthem and used her platform to protest segregation and war. And more recently, Indian sprinter Dutee Chand came out as a lesbian in 2019, making headlines in a country that only recently recognised same-sex marriage.
Unfortunately, sporting competitions haven’t always followed their lead. The Olympic movement has a long past of racism and gender discrimination. Earlier this year the head of the Tokyo Olympic organising committee resigned after sexist remarks and major sporting institutions involved in the Tokyo 2021 Olympics and Paralympics are currently under fire for discriminatory practices that target Black athletes. These include a ban on a swim cap made to protect Black athletes’ natural hair as well as technical errors and decisions that exclude Black women.
As the sporting community grapples with structural racism and gender discrimination, female athletes are stepping up and speaking out for equality in their sports and in their communities. We rounded up 12 of these athlete-activists to root for in Tokyo.
Hailing from Costa Rica, Nigeria, Uganda, Venezuela and more, these Olympians and Paralympians are feminist leaders, disability advocates, style icons, busy students and avid TikTokers. They’re champions of sports and champions of social justice. Each one is using her platform to make sports an inclusive place for every young person.
Here are 12 young women to watch at the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.
(Courtesy of Maria Fassi)
Maria Fassi, Mexico
Maria Fassi is no stranger to being the only girl on a golf course — it’s how her career began. Despite being a woman in a male-dominated sport, the 23-year-old Annika Award winner has taken the golf world by storm. Maria tells us about gender discrimination on the green and her goal to bring more media coverage to women’s golf.
(Courtesy of the International Paralympic Committee)
Lisbeli Vera Andrade, Venezuela
When 19-year-old Venezuelan Paralympian racer Lisbeli Vera Andrade approaches the starting line and gets ready to explode off the starting block, her mind is racing almost as fast as she’s about to run. Lisbeli talks to Assembly about fighting to end discrimination against students with disabilities in schools and how competing in track has helped build her self-esteem. This article also appears in Spanish.
(Courtesy of Elizabeth Ayanacho)
Elizabeth Anyanacho, Nigeria
Nigerian track star Elizabeth “Lizzy” Anyanacho was practising sprinting one day when her athletic prowess caught the eye of a taekwondo coach. Lizzy was immediately drawn to the intricacies of taekwondo, and she went on to excel at the martial art, winning gold at major competitions and qualifying for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Lizzy shares with us how taekwondo taught her the confidence to stand out.
(Courtesy of Husnah Kukundakwe)
Husnah Kukundakwe, Uganda
A few years ago, Husnah Kukundakwe didn’t even know para-swimming existed. Now, the 14-year-old prodigy is one of the sport’s brightest stars and most passionate voices. The young champion takes us through a week in her life as she balances training for the Tokyo Paralympics with her studies in school. Read Husnah’s previous interview with Assembly here.
(Courtesy of Bebe Vio)
Beatrice “Bebe” Vio, Italy
Beatrice “Bebe” Vio fell in love with fencing when she was just 5 years old. Since then, she’s won gold at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games — becoming the first quadruple amputee to compete in wheelchair fencing — and has become an outspoken advocate for para-athletes. Bebe discusses her rigorous fencing techniques and love for fashion. This article also appears in Italian.
(Courtesy of Lewis Royden)
Sky Brown, U.K.
At 12 years old, champion skateboarder Sky Brown is set to become Britain’s youngest Olympian. Despite being one of the youngest and most accomplished professional skateboarders in the world, Sky is just like any other social savvy Gen Zer. She talks to Assembly about making TikToks and dismantling stereotypes of skateboarding as a sport reserved for boys.
(Courtesy of Patricia Quirós León)
Camila Haase Quiros, Costa Rica
21-year-old Camila Haase Quiros made history at the Rio 2016 Paralympics as the first female Paralympian from Costa Rica. Now she serves as a role model for young para-athletes through the Proud Paralympian mentorship programme. Camila discusses mentoring other youth athletes and staying busy during the pandemic.
(Courtesy of Lucía Montenegro)
Lucía Montenegro, Argentina
When it comes to disability rights, wheelchair racer Lucía Montenegro won’t stay in her lane. The 20-year-old Argentinian uses her athleticism to advocate for change. She speaks out about lack of transparency in para-sport and the discrimination she’s faced from her school.
(Courtesy of Daniella Rosas)
Daniella Rosas, Peru
When she was only 13 years old, Peruvian surfer Daniella Rosas found fame for tackling one of the largest waves in the world. This summer, the 19-year-old has her sights set on winning in Tokyo. Daniella discusses how it feels to represent her country at the highest level of her sport.
(Courtesy of Felicity Passon)
Felicity Passon, Seychelles
Before the pandemic hit, Felicity Passon competed in her last swim competition hoping to get in some practice racing. Little did she know that she would end up clocking one of her best times and qualify for this year’s Olympics. Felicity discusses preparing for the Games and why she wants to see more inclusion in swimming in her home country of the Seychelles.
(Courtesy of Sara Vargas)
Sara Vargas, Colombia
There's a lot 13-year-old Sara Vargas likes about being a champion para-swimmer: winning medals, beating out her rivals, representing her home country. But there’s no accolade that beats being in the water. The young Paralympian discusses preparing for international competitions, her go-to sweets and what motivates her to win. This article also appears in Spanish.
(Courtesy of Aya Ayman)
Aya Ayman, Egypt
As the first and youngest Egyptian, African and Arabian female athlete to get a world para-swimming medal, Aya Ayman balances studying at university with competing at world championships. She shares with us why she prioritises her education alongside her swimming career.
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