Parker is top female athlete
The Associated Press named Candace Parker it's Female Athlete of the Year. Perhaps they should change the name of the award to American Female Athlete of the Year.
I've talked enough about Candace Parker. She's a great player who might one day very soon be known as the greatest female basketball player of all time. She had a great year, winning the NCAA national championship at Tennessee and a gold medal in the Olympics. She was named WNBA MVP even though her Sparks team woefully underachieved, losing in the Western finals at San Antonio.
Despite falling short in the professional ranks, it was still quite a year for Miss Parker. It's hard to argue she might be the Female Athlete of the Year in the United States. Although, I'm sure Danica Patrick fans would talk about how Patrick made history, becoming the first woman ever to win on the IRL circuit. Dara Torres made history, not only qualifying for the Olympics at 41 but bringing home a silver medal.
Still, Parker's year might eclipse all of those in the United States.
But, in the world? I don't think so.
Croatia's Blanka Vlasic was the world's most dominant athlete, literally owning the high jump. The 6-4 glamazon was upset in the Olympics, however, taking silver and losing some of the lustre off her year. How about Russia's Yelena Isinbayeva? She has re-written the record books in the pole vault, breaking the world record about 20 times. Her performance in the Olympics was nothing short of brilliant, easily winning gold while trash talking her American rival Jen Stucynski in the process. Brazil's Marta is recognized as the best female soccer player in the world with Italy's Francesca Piccinnini the same in volleyball. Italy's Federica Pellegrini is the most dominant swimmer in the world not named Michael Phelps.
There are so many great female athletes. But, alas, most of the American media members don't know any of them unless they have a commercial that airs during a men's sporting event.
Parker had a great year and, barring injury, could have about 12 more even better years. She's bringing a lot of positive attention to the WNBA, which sorely needs it. She may be the best thing to happen to women's sports in this country since Anna Kournikova applied for her passport. But, calling Parker the best female athlete in the world is uninformed and just plain lazy.
I've talked enough about Candace Parker. She's a great player who might one day very soon be known as the greatest female basketball player of all time. She had a great year, winning the NCAA national championship at Tennessee and a gold medal in the Olympics. She was named WNBA MVP even though her Sparks team woefully underachieved, losing in the Western finals at San Antonio.
Despite falling short in the professional ranks, it was still quite a year for Miss Parker. It's hard to argue she might be the Female Athlete of the Year in the United States. Although, I'm sure Danica Patrick fans would talk about how Patrick made history, becoming the first woman ever to win on the IRL circuit. Dara Torres made history, not only qualifying for the Olympics at 41 but bringing home a silver medal.
Still, Parker's year might eclipse all of those in the United States.
But, in the world? I don't think so.
Croatia's Blanka Vlasic was the world's most dominant athlete, literally owning the high jump. The 6-4 glamazon was upset in the Olympics, however, taking silver and losing some of the lustre off her year. How about Russia's Yelena Isinbayeva? She has re-written the record books in the pole vault, breaking the world record about 20 times. Her performance in the Olympics was nothing short of brilliant, easily winning gold while trash talking her American rival Jen Stucynski in the process. Brazil's Marta is recognized as the best female soccer player in the world with Italy's Francesca Piccinnini the same in volleyball. Italy's Federica Pellegrini is the most dominant swimmer in the world not named Michael Phelps.
There are so many great female athletes. But, alas, most of the American media members don't know any of them unless they have a commercial that airs during a men's sporting event.
Parker had a great year and, barring injury, could have about 12 more even better years. She's bringing a lot of positive attention to the WNBA, which sorely needs it. She may be the best thing to happen to women's sports in this country since Anna Kournikova applied for her passport. But, calling Parker the best female athlete in the world is uninformed and just plain lazy.
posted by Tony at
10:28 PM
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