The Top Female Athletes in Sports History

The Top Female Athletes in Sports History
03/30/2022 Amanda Blackman

The Top Female Athletes in Sports History

In celebration of Woman’s History Month, we are excited to highlight the top female athletes in history! Woman’s History Month has been celebrated for years and started in the 1980s. According to Woman’s History Month government website, “[I]n 1987, after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9, which designated the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” Since then, the United States has honored women for their achievements throughout American history in many fields. 

Today women are making history every day by competing to be the best. Female athletes are strong and dedicated to pushing for equality in all sports. Not only are these women breaking records, but they open the way for women everywhere to compete. 

Take a look below to get inspired by some of the top female athletes in history!

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Jackie was a track star named the ‘Greatest Female Athlete of the 20th Century’ by Sports Illustrated. Her outstanding accomplishments were a 6-time Olympic medalist and three gold wins in the Heptathlon. She still holds the heptathlon record set in 1988! 

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Billie Jean King

Billie is recognized as one of the greatest Tennis players of all time, with 39 Grand Slam championship wins in her career. After dominating the competition and advocating for equality in Tennis, Billie won a “Battle of the Sexes” match against Bobby Riggs in straight sets in 1973.

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Jenny Thompson

Olympic swimmer Jenny Thompson has won the most medals than any other female swimmer in history, winning 12 medals. Jenny won eight gold, three silver, and one bronze. Not only is she an Olympic champion, but also an anesthesiologist! 

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Larisa Latynina

A former record-breaking gymnast from Ukraine won 18 medals, nine of which are gold. Larisa was the first woman to win nine gold medals and held the record for 48 years until Michael Phelps. 

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Misty Copeland

Misty wears many hats, such as author, broadway actor, and movie star, but she was also the first African American dancer for the American Ballet Theatre. She is an inspiration to many young dancers everywhere!

 

Record-breaking or not, these women are role models for younger generations to become the best at their passions. PCF is genuinely inspired by the accomplishments made by these female athletes and continues to stay posted on recent achievements.