Who is donna de varona

Rare in the Olympic Movement, Donna de Varona has found a way of navigating the fine line between expressing free, independent thought, including stinging criticism and even legal challenge, and diplomacy when steering broadcasters and governors down better pathways on issues of gender discrimination, athlete representation and much else.

This author was there to hear her speak and here are the beautiful words she spoke:. Our history is rich not only for the world records and Olympic medals won but for the men and women who have through their dedication inspired excellence, forged social change, fought for fairness, and created a network of individuals worldwide who are dedicated to making a difference in a world constantly seeking common ground.

Great coaching and the opportunity to share the water with others who are as passionate and dedicated has made water sports a cornerstone for all the world and especially the Olympics. A rival is just as important as a coach. However, when the fierce days of competition are over, it is the friendships forged through mutual respect that count the most. When De Varona returned from Tokyo , she watched triple-champion teammate Don Schollander go off to college on a scholarship.

That pathway was not open to her, was not open to any women athletes. My father volunteered as a timer for the US Olympic swimming trials held at Astoria pool. I was there everyday. Unfortunately my Mom threw it out while cleaning the basement one day. Was an upcoming age group swimmer at that time. And she had to retire from swimming at the age of 17 because there were no opportunities for women to continue their swimming in college.

Patty Carretto. She had just turned 13 a couple of months before and lowered the meter free in Had that been in the Olympics 64 Tokyo she may have well been the youngest. Left Sidebar. Brian Kellar. Bob McKeon. I remember her on tv — very pretty and up beat.

Mike Mcgowan. Diane Pavelin. Swimming World. Every country competing must follow the same rules and play on the same field — and having the opportunity to represent your country and meet strong, talented women from around the world opens up your perspectives. Playing sports empowers female athletes with the skills and confidence to survive and thrive in the world today, on and off the field.

Individual and team sports have the power to transcend the boundaries of gender, religion, race and nationality. They promote health and wellness, self-confidence, decision-making and social skills, and, above all, perseverance. Women in sport smash gender stereotypes, providing inspiring role models for all girls, and portraying gender equality. When I competed in the Rome Summer Olympic Games, and in the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games, the opportunities and resources available to female athletes were extremely limited.

Women competed for less than one-third of the medals. It was not until , with the passage of Title IX, which I proudly helped champion, that things began to change. I started fighting for Title IX when I began working as the first female sportscaster on television. And when the U. Congress approved this game-changing legislation, which opened the doors for non discrimination on the basis of gender in any American school that received federal funding, athletic directors at educational institutions had no choice but to make way for female athletes.

How we look at gender in sports was also forever changed. The numbers speak for themselves. Following the passage of Title IX, there has been a percent increase in the number of women playing college sports, and a percent increase in the number of women playing high school sports. This has led to generations of able, confident leaders who take the lessons they learn in competition and on the field into boardrooms, embassies, offices and homes.

In fact, more than 90 percent of female CEOs were once competitive athletes. She is a UCLA graduate in political science. One of the many leadership honors include a Yale Kiphuth Fellowship.

In she was the first female to receive the International Swimming Hall of Fame Gold Medallion that recognized her life as an inspiration to all swimmers. In , Donna was presented with the Olympia Award for her ongoing contributions to the U. Olympic Movement. Donna served as chairperson of the Women's World Cup Soccer Tournament Organizing Committee, the most successful women's sporting event in history.

This year she has served as an advisor to the White House Task Force on the World Anti-Doping Agency that was established to combat the use of illegal performance enhancing drugs in sports. Since , Donna has provided weekly commentary for Sports News Radio, the nation's largest and most listened to hour sports radio network.

She was awarded the Gracie Allen Award for excellence in broadcasting in both and About Us. Board of Directors.