Women's Football

On a non-political note, I want to mention that last night 3 women footballers retired from the game. Arguably three but certainly two of the best footballers in history - male or female. It is special to me because they have for 15 years inspired men and women through their unbelievable skills and devotion to developing women's sports and sport in general. In a nation that usually ignores both soccer and women's team sports, it is a tribute to Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy that over 90,000 spectators watched live and 90 million on television as they won our second World Cup in 8 years, and through Brandi Chastain's shirt removal, they made one of the lasting images in the history of sports.

These women are the first generation of American athletes to reap the full benefits of Title IX which affirmed the equality of women's sports - especially team sports - to men's sports. I am personally sad to see them leave the game but happy to see them move on to other things. Let their legacy of excellence live on. And as a massive soccer fan, they are special to me because for the time being, they remain the only champions we have. They have 2 World Cups and 2 Olympic Gold Medals to their names and the thoughts and inspiration of a nation who despite its problems stands for equality in all arenas. We will miss them.