The USA is giving me whiplash. While on the one hand, its stance on abortion is highly regressive. On the other hand, the country is taking pivotal steps towards levelling the playground, or should we say ‘pay’ ground for its male and female athletes. The Equal Pay for Team USA Act creates an equal, inclusive, and appreciative space for both men and women who represent the United States in global competitions. It also ensures equal benefits for all these talented and capable athletes regardless of their gender.
This progressive piece of legislation was passed late on Wednesday and it is a direct result of the federal gender discrimination lawsuit the women‘s team filed against U.S. Soccer in 2019. This then, developed into a long and strenuous battle which was fought by the women’s soccer team, asking for equal rights, recognition, payments and benefits as the male soccer team. Their efforts paid off in every way possible with the Equal Pay for Team USA Act.
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Furthermore, this act isn’t limited in any way. It covers 50-plus national sports played in America. It also requires extensive care and oversight of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee to ensure that the act is benefiting everyone in the best ways possible.
The bill has passed both US houses with unanimous support and is now, heading to President Joe Biden’s desk for a final signature of approval. U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone mentioned the same in a recent interview. She said, “By sending this legislation to the President, both houses have sent a clear message that this is the standard for all National Teams in all sports and it underscores the importance of working with our athletes to achieve equal pay including equalizing international prize money.”
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Now, we can only hope that President Joe Biden signs the bill and seals the deal in terms of equal pay for all athletes irrespective of their gender or background in the sphere of American sports. We also hope that the world takes a cue from this move because women’s sports teams need to be treated as well as men’s sports teams around the globe. After all, they truly deserve it, don’t they?
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