Mid-Week Reads & Links
A new women's only track invitational! More women's sports bars! The human cost of doping—boo! And more!
On my old blog (RIP), I would share a round-up of my favorite things every Friday, mostly articles and videos I stumbled across during the week. It was called Friday Round-Up. Creative, right? 😁
I kind of miss those posts. While I can’t promise that this will be a regular newsletter feature—geez, I can’t even commit to a regular publishing schedule here—I wanted to revive it this week. I know that everyone has too many newsletters in their inbox and tabs open on their browser as it is, I’m going to keep it short(ish) and sweet.
Doping
Over the weekend, The New York Times published their investigation of a doping scandal involving Chinese athletes. Seven months before the Tokyo Olympics, 23 swimmers tested positive for the banned substance—the same prescription heart medication that Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva tested positive for before the 2022 Beijing Olympics. But the Chinese swimmers were allowed to compete in the Olympics and several won medals. It’s a long article and worth reading, especially in light of the upcoming Olympics.
Coincidentally, a week earlier, it was announced that Russian runner Ekaterina Poistogova-Guliyev will be stripped of the silver medal she won in the 800-meter at the 2012 Olympics in London. That would move American middle distance runner Alysia Montaño into bronze medal position.
That’s stunning in and of itself. But this is the THIRD medal upgrade for Montaño. She was also upgraded to the bronze medal in the 800-meter at the 2011 and 2013 World Championships.
Yes, doping flies in the face of fair play, but Montaño’s experience highlights that it’s more than that. She didn’t just lose out on crossing the finish line as a medal winner and standing on the podium in front of family, friends, and fans. She lost out on bonuses, sponsorships, opportunities, and so much more. There’s a very human toll to all of this, which she writes about on Instagram.
Montaño wants to received her upgraded medal at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles and I hope that gets that chance to stand on a podium in front of a huge cheering crowd.
Investing in women’s sports—finally
Another year, another recording breaking women’s NCAA basketball tournament 💁🏻♀️
But in the last two days, there have been two announcements that have me jazzed. The person behind them? Alexis Ohanian, aka Serena’s husband.
First, he announced that his 776 Foundation would invest in The Sports Bra, the women’s sports bar in Portland, OR, and support their expansion to other cities. I love this not just because all returns will be reinvested into girls’ and women’s sports but because we need spaces like these to grow the fanbase of women’s sports.
Then, he announced that he was partnering with Olympic bronze medalist Gabby Thomas to launch the 776 Invitational, a women’s-only track event in September. It will offer the largest prize purse for women’s track. First place will receive $60,000, six-times what first place nets at Diamond League events.
"Every four years, during the Olympics, this is a really popular sport, and then all the coverage and everything seems to go away," Ohanian said.
"And looking at the existing professional infrastructure [with the Diamond League], I did some work and then I just started DM'ing a bunch of track athletes. I was like, 'Hey, do you mind getting on the phone so I can learn?' That's when I realized how low the prize money was and how low the coverage was and how difficult it was to even watch."
This is a big deal for track and field. The athletes are amazing and there are so many stories to tell but, as a fan, it’s been so hard to watch and follow the sport. I hope this leads to more investment and visibility for the sport.
Mental health is health
Just watch this video.
BTS of Up to Speed
Recently, I spoke with
and he shared our conversation on his newsletter . I shared some behind-the-scenes thoughts on writing the book and on the future of women’s sports. Check it out!
Why literary craft matters, particularly in romance
is one of my favorite writers. I love her stories and her characters but it’s the way she writes—her craft—that I’m enamored with. Her recent newsletter breaks down writing craft in a way that only Kate can. It’s about why those sensory details and descriptions matter and how they work to resist and subvert the status quo. If you’re a literary craft junkie, it’s a good read, even if you don’t read romance.
What are you reading? Let me know in the comments.
More soon.
Christine
I just adore this round up! Thank you!