What is an Athlete?

Nike Athlete

Summer’s are filled with sports, especially this summer due to the Olympics being held in London. Many people are already focusing in on the athletes and their favorite sports to watch. The sports craze has begun with the start of the Olympic trials, which I find myself glued to the television watching to see the inspiring stories of the athletes’ childhood to where they are now. This weekend while watching the Olympic trials, I saw an inspiring video (above is the link to the commercial) from Nike. When one watches the video, I’m sure it will hit home with a lot of female athletes.

The commercial includes top female athletes such as Diana Taurasi and Picabo Street talking into a microphone almost yelling they have something to say about female athletes. The one line from the commercial says, “Female athletes have to overcome the bias that their game isn’t as good as the men’s game.” It continues with Picabo Street saying the half pipe doesn’t know she is a girl and another female athlete saying yes men are stronger and faster, but this does not make an athlete. This line really had me thinking, what does make an athlete?

An athlete does not need to be the fastest and strongest, which is what many people today believe makes a true athlete. However, the truth is deeper and more involved then that. Watch the Olympic Trials and soon the London Olympics and then you will see what makes a true athlete. It is an individual pursuing their passion in the sport they love. An athlete is an individual who has the skills and perseverance to go out day in and day out to try and perfect their sport in order to be the best. Yes, when you watch men’s tennis they will hit the ball harder and in ice hockey the men will check and fight, but this does not change the fact that the females playing these sports are just as talented as athletes. Serena Williams is still an athlete who has perfected the art of her serve and can move around the court just as well as Nadal.

We live in a world that at times can be narrow minded and when it comes to female athletes the audiences watching can hold those same biased view points. I hope as these commercial are viewed through the Olympic Trials and the Olympics other people will take the time to see what truly makes an athlete. In the end females’ sports are just as exciting as males’ sports since we are all athletes playing with passion to be the best we can be.