“That is most definitely a violation of Title IX,” said DePaul Associate Athletic Director Jean Lenti Ponsetto, chairwoman of the NCAA Division I Championships Cabinet. “Sure, football has traditionally been a men’s sport. But if a girl wants to compete and she is qualified, legally you must let her play.

Many girls don’t opt for football simply because female teams aren’t an option in their area, and the teams they do see consist solely of boys or men. And it’s much harder to start a team than it is to join one already in place. There also exists a lack of visibility when it comes to female football players and teams.

Sport has the power to change lives. By teaching women and girls teamwork, self-reliance, resilience and confidence, sport is one of the great drivers of gender equality. Women in sport defy gender stereotypes and social norms, make inspiring role models, and show men and women as equals.

Women in Sports Naomi Osaka is the highest-paid female athlete in the world. Forbes had announced that the 22-year-old Japanese-American had overtaken tennis legend Serena Williams as the highest-earning female in May, but finally dropped the full list of top-paid female sports stars this week.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee is the greatest

gymnast Larisa Latynina

Top 10 athletes with the most medals at the Summer Olympics

• Swimming icon Michael Phelps with the 23 gold medals he won at the Olympic Games. (
• Soviet Union’s Larisa Latynina during the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. (
• Edoardo Mangiarotti (centre) with his men’s epee gold medal at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. (

Latynina

gymnast Simone Biles