Women We Love: Australian Female Athletes

The showdown on the cycling track between Australia’s Anna Meares and Great Britain’s Victoria Pendleton was touted as one of the must-see events of the 2012 London Olympics. After such a massive build-up, they didn’t disappoint with Meares powering away to win gold in the final lap of the race. Yet the unlikely pair provided one of the most heartfelt moments of these Games when, at the end of the medal ceremony, the arch rivals left the dais with their arms around each other. Respect.

On a day where Meares, and Sally Pearson doubled Australia’s gold medal effort, Australian female athletes should be singled out for their exceptional performances at these Games. As of Day 11, of the 25 medals the Australian team has won, 16 have been won by women in individual or group efforts.

In fact, as the Washington Post pointed out has pointed out, women have been providing many of the golden moments of these Games. You go girls.