From M&Ms to Michael Jordan, GMP’s Sports Explained series slide tackles the Women’s World Cup.
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The World Cup started in 1930 with 13 counties participating. It would be 61 years before the women would get their turn. In 1991, China hosted the women’s innaugural event. Technically, however it was not the first World Cup. That wouldn’t be until four years later in Sweden. It seems FIFA was a little worried about putting the World Cup label on an event involving women.
So in your history books, 1991’s event was called the 1st FIFA World Championship for Women’s Football for the M&M’s Cup
It seems FIFA was willing to almost anything for women, but the World Cup, “no, they won’t do that.”
The US would win the M&M Cup, with Norway taking the title in 1995.
The third installment is when things hit the stratosphere. On US Soil, the ’99ers as they would be called took the country by storm and with it, the hearts of America. It led to Madison Avenue calling, giving us memorable commericals like this:
And this:
Yet some still felt the women did not deserve the respect they clearly had earned. Recently resigned FIFA president Sepp Blatter said in 2004 female players wear tighter shorts to promote “a more female aesthetic.”
“They could, for example, have tighter shorts. Female players are pretty, if you excuse me for saying so, and they already have some different rules to men – such as playing with a lighter ball. That decision was taken to create a more female aesthetic, so why not do it in fashion?”
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No stone was unturned in digging up the footage of Blatter’s suggestion, and although the footage may look like it was from the 40s, we remind you his comments were said in the 21st century.
Despite what many might think about the women’s game, you will not find this on the pitch in Canada.
Hopefully, you will not find this either
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvEobeNfGcc
We can only aspire to see this come July 5.
How beautiful it would be…
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Photo Credit: Associated Press/File
For more on the US Women’s World Cup Team, see our additional coverage here:
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The Beginner’s Guide to the Women’s World Cup
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GMP Sports World Cup Playlist
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GMP Sports Speaks with Team USA Soccer Captain, Christie Rampone!
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A Role Model For Going Beyond Race: Sydney Leroux