Earlier this week, the AOC along with many Aussie Olympians, sporting federations and fans celebrated powerful female Olympians and Olympic hopefuls for International Women's Day 2021.
The theme for 2021, 'Choose to Challenge,' was the perfect opportunity to reflect upon Australia's many Olympic women who have broken barriers and created history throughout their careers
Olympic swimmer-turned coach, Janelle Pallister shared her story of being one of the only female coaches in a sport dominated by male coaches, and what steps she believes we need to take to achieve an equal split of women and men in coaching roles and positions of power and influence.
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Olympians also took the time to raise awareness around issues of gender equality and equity within the sporting world, sharing quotes that were close to their hearts.
Athletes, sports and federations shared their #IWD2021 #ChoosetoChallenge pledges and celebrated inspirational women.
.@WBSC celebrated #IWD2021 by recognising some trailblazers of the sport featuring some of our own current and former @travelodgehotel Aussie Spirit stars #ChooseToChallenge
— Softball Australia (@SoftballOz) March 9, 2021
🗞| https://t.co/dsJyPyd4lq pic.twitter.com/JBW0GNJGej
To my beautiful Sistas, the young girls in #CapeYork - I choose to believe in you! You are beautiful. You are talented. You can be, and do anything you choose to be. Belief is all you need sometimes! #choosetochallenge #OurSistersChangeTheWorld #IWD2021 #changeherworld 💜 pic.twitter.com/3xC0QYLHF1
— Nova Peris OAM OLY (@NovaPeris) March 8, 2021
Happy #IWD2021 I’m going to challenge myself to help trans women feel welcome and supported doing whatever sport they want. Trans people deserve not only the opportunity to play sport, but to excel, achieve and have their hard work celebrated #ChooseToChallenge
— Maddie Groves (@MaddieGroves_) March 8, 2021
Stand up, put our hands up & celebrate #IWD2021! The Past, Present & Future.
— Sport Australia Hall of Fame (@sportaushof) March 8, 2021
Today is not about making women strong - women are already strong. Today is about changing the way the world perceives that strength.
From challenge comes change, so let’s all #ChooseToChallenge pic.twitter.com/ijnzVntAfg
We’re in!
— Sport Integrity Australia (@ProtectingSport) March 7, 2021
Sport Integrity Australia commits to choose to challenge and call out inequality. We are committed to diversity and inclusion today and every day.#ChooseToChallenge #IWD2021 pic.twitter.com/8jbQZvfheN
On #IWD2021, some of the Westfield Matildas share the women in leadership that they admire. pic.twitter.com/5yGkT3q0X8
— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) March 8, 2021
On #InternationalWomensDay we recognise and celebrate the achievements of all the amazing women who have and will inspire people to #ChooseToChallenge, take action and help forge a gender equal world. #IWD2021 #chasingwinter pic.twitter.com/UW89vCJidI
— Snow Australia (@SnowAust) March 8, 2021