Let\u2019s face it: The thought of sitting through hours of television sports coverage during a hot summer isn\u2019t everybody\u2019s idea of a good time. But, with the Tokyo Olympics getting underway, it sometimes feels unavoidable. The Olympics are about more than just sports \u2013 they are about inspiration. It\u2019s different than watching the NFL, NBA or Premier League soccer where millionaire athletes battle other millionaire athletes. With the Olympics, there can be a sense that you are watching ordinary humans doing extraordinary things.<\/p>\n
While women\u2019s professional sport is growing in stature, it still doesn’t receive equal billing with the men\u2019s \u2013 at least in terms of money. There is much more equity at the Olympics, where the pursuit is a medal, not prize money. Below, we are sharing five women worth keeping an eye on in the coming weeks. Inspirational women who, for varying reasons, are worth our attention, even if they don\u2019t come away with the gold:<\/p>\n
It\u2019s fair to say that most Canadians may not have heard of Parisa Jahanfekrian. The 26-year-old Iranian is not a star of her sport. In fact, she only reached the qualification status through the withdrawal of Samoa\u2019s Iuniarra Sipaia. But it is what Jahanfekrian represents \u2013 Iran\u2019s first female weightlifter<\/a> \u2013 that is important. No woman had even lifted weights in public before 2018 in the country. Jahanfekrian is a trailblazer that should inspire more Iranian women to take up sport and fight for equality.<\/p>\n2. Misugu Okamoto \u2013 Skateboarding (Japan)<\/h2>\n