Olympians urged to back #LikeAGirl Campaign

28 | 6 | 2016

World Olympians Association is urging Olympians everywhere to get behind the newest campaign from International Olympic Committee TOP Sponsor P&G. The Always #LikeAGirl – Keep Playing campaign, launched today by the worldwide Olympic partner, is aimed at empowering young girls around the world to take up sport.

Research shows two out of three young girls don’t feel encouraged to play sport. P&G along with the Olympic Movement wants to encourage all girls to get involved in sport and exercise by showing and celebrating them and their role models playing sport in the lead up to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The WOA is encouraging its female members to embrace their position as sporting heroes by pledging that they will Keep Playing #LikeAGirl, and setting an example for young girls to follow by sharing a picture or a video of themselves in action and encouraging others to do the same.

Four-time Olympian, double Olympic gold medallist and WOA Executive Committee member, Pernilla Wiberg (Alpine Skiing, Sweden), said:

“I am proud to support the #LikeAGirl campaign and I urge my fellow Olympians to do the same. Sport forms such an essential part of an active and healthy childhood and it is concerning that so many young girls do not feel encouraged to take part. Strong female role models are essential for young girls as they grow and develop and we should be doing everything in our power to inspire girls into playing sport.”

Double Olympian and WOA Executive Committee member, Chantal Brunner (Athletics, New Zealand), said:

“Growing up in New Zealand, sport was an integral part of my life from an early age. Involvement in sport develops skills that cross over into all aspects of life. It’s worrying that young girls are increasingly lacking the confidence or the encouragement to get active and get involved in sport.

“#LikeAGirl is a great initiative to get behind as it seeks to empower girls to participate in, and develop a life-long love of, sport. I strongly believe with the right encouragement and the right role models we can keep girls playing.”

What can you do?

Copy and paste the suggested posts below onto Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or your other social channels and snap a picture or take a video or yourself playing sport and include the hash tag #LikeAGirl.

Suggested post:

Who says sports aren't for girls? We say girls can play any game, on any

field! Keep Playing #LikeAGirl! #Always https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Emawq64b0DU

Suggested post:

Let's encourage girls to stay in sport & show they belong! Upload a picture of you doing sport & tag your friends. Keep Playing #LikeAGirl

Olympians are also encouraged to like and share the official #LikeAGirl – Keep Playing video from the Always global campaign page here or post directly on your own social network channels.

Join the WOA and the wider Olympic Movement in promoting and celebrating girls playing sport and help inspire the next generation of female Olympians. Together we can make a difference.