Mara Abbott is the Maglia Rosa at Giro Donne and Spain wins FIFA World Cup 2010
July 12th, 2010 by Ashleigh Moolman Pasio
Yesterday, 11 July 2010, was a big day in the world of professional sport! History was made in both the world of women’s cycling and men’s soccer.
Mara Abbott wins Giro Donne 2010
Mara Abbot (USA National team) became the first American to win the Giro Donne, the toughest women’s stage race;
Spain wins FIFA World Cup 2010
Spain won the FIFA World Cup for the first time in the history of the event.
Both events mark a milestone in their respective sporting arenas.
The 2010 Giro Donne was the first woman’s tour to follow the structure of a men’s tour so closely. It was by far the toughest woman’s road stage race in the history of woman’s cycling!
Africa was given the opportunity to convey, as a continent, its passion and dedication to the sport of football. A traditionally European dominated sport!
These sports are very different, but in many ways they are similar. Although in this case performed by the opposite sexes, cycling and soccer are both team sports, which require speed, power and endurance.
The big difference however, coming in the form of pay cheques and support! Most of the women in the ladies peloton are paid peanuts for what they do and get very little support on the sides of the roads. Their sweat and tears are those of passion and love! While the men on the soccer field are paid fortunes to act like drama queens with millions of fans chanting in the stands!
Hats off to the American Ladies National team for pulling off a very tactical and well deserved Giro Donne victory.
Viva Espana for surviving the dirty tactics of the Dutch to win the first African soccer World Cup! May the African vibe live on!
