Flame Bearers

????Exciting news! Flame Bearers won 3 awards at the 19th Annual w3 Awards, which celebrate excellence in digital experiences, creativity, and content across various categories???? Our podcast “Pathways to Paris” won gold in General Series-Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and a silver in General Series-Sports???? Then our specific episode featuring @Caster Semenya Semenya won gold In the category of Individual Episodes & Specials-Diversity, Equity & Inclusion?? These awards recognize outstanding achievements in Social Media Marketing & Content, Websites, Online Marketing & Advertising, Mobile Sites & Apps, Online Video, Podcasts, and Emerging Technology. Winners come from all corners of the industry, from small firms to Fortune 500 companies, showcasing a broad spectrum of creativity. The entries were judged by the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts and a panel of experts from leading media and marketing organizations like Disney, Netflix, and Deloitte Digital. This is only the start for Flame Bearers, we look forward to continuing to support amazing women in sport giving them a place to share their stories?? #W3Awards #FlameBearers #Podcast #WomenInSport

Emma McKeon, the shining star of Australian swimming, has officially announced her retirement at the age of 30, closing the chapter on a record-breaking career? With 14 Olympic medals (6 golds), 20 Commonwealth Games medals, and a history of smashing world records, she leaves an indelible mark as one of the greatest Olympians in history???? From her first gold in Rio to her unforgettable dominance in Tokyo and a graceful finish in Paris, Emma’s journey embodies dedication, resilience, and excellence ???? As she steps away from competitive swimming, Emma reflected: 'From the dream igniting at five years old to my third Olympics, I’ve gained lessons, friendships, and memories that I’ll cherish forever.' Emma congrats on an amazing career here’s to the exciting possibilities ahead for you in your retirement!???? ? #FlameBearers #Swimmer #Olympian #EmmaMcKeon #SwimmingIcon

?? From a first-round exit in Tokyo to a redemptive journey toward Los Angeles in 2028 Lin Coco is proving that setbacks pave the way for comebacks. As two-time Asian Games bronze medalist and former U23 Asian Champion, she’s stepping back onto the piste at this weekend’s Hong Kong Open, carrying the hopes of her team as they aim for LA qualification?? Coco’s fencing story started at age 11 in Hong Kong, encouraged by her dad, and blossomed alongside her studies in landscape architecture at The University of Hong Kong. Her tutors once doubted her absences—until they saw her winning medals on the news, she stated: "I had not considered becoming a full-time athlete until I won that medal. It was my first individual honour at that level. From that moment, I knew I had the potential to progress further, and I wanted to do it when I was still young and had the ability." (https://hk.sports.yahoo.com, 19 Sep 2022) Guided by coach Octavian Zidaru Coco rediscovered her unique, footwork-heavy style and learned to balance agility with technical precision. While missing out on Paris 2024 was tough, it gave her time to promote fencing as a TV commentator, helping grow awareness of epee in Hong Kong ????? Here’s to Coco’s journey—one of resilience, rediscovery, and redemption. Catch her at the Coupe du Monde on Nov 21 & 24 in Vancouver as she continues to carve her legacy! #FlameBearers #CocoLin #Fencing #Olympics

?? Meet Temwa Chawinga your 2024 NWSL Golden Boot winner, scoring a record-breaking 20 goals in her debut season—the first player in league history to hit this milestone! ?? ???? She is also the first Malawian to compete in the NWSL and the first African-born player to claim this honor. Temwa is unstoppable with 26 goal contributions, 3 braces, and scoring against EVERY opponent in a single season?? Off the field, she’s using her platform to make a difference for her home country of Malawi, leading a water project to bring clean and sustainable water systems to underserved communities. Her impact goes beyond soccer, proving she’s a champion on all fronts. ?? Catch her leading Kansas City Current in the playoffs, with the NWSL Championship set for November 23 at CPKC Stadium! ?? #FlameBearers #TemwaChawinga #soccer #NWSLChampionship #NSWLplayoffs

3 Facts You May Not Know About Tara Davis-Woodhall : 1?? Her signature cowboy hat was a gift from her grandfather and a teammate—now it's her trademark look at meets 2?? She overcame career-threatening injuries, including broken vertebrae, a broken hip, and a broken ankle, just in time for Tokyo 2020 after the pandemic postponed the Games 3?? Tara competed in the women’s long jump securing a gold medal this summer in Paris #FlameBearers #Olympian #Paris2024 #Olympics

Meet the coach who helped bring gold home in Paris this year!?? Emma Hayes journey to becoming an influential figure in women’s soccer is as inspiring as it is remarkable. Born in Camden, London, in 1976, she grew up in a household “filled with football,” inspired by legends like Diego Maradona. She joined Arsenal’s youth academy at age 12 with dreams of becoming a professional player but had a serious ski accident at 17 that ended her playing career. Determined to stay in the game, she pursued European Studies, Spanish, and Sociology at Liverpool Hope University—her sociology background later proving invaluable in helping her connect with players on a deep, personal level?? In 2001, Hayes moved to the U.S. with $1,000 and a backpack, launching her coaching career. By age 25, she became the youngest head coach in the W-League with the Long Island Lady Riders, then went on to coach the women’s team at Iona College. Eventually, her path led her back to England, where she became an assistant coach for Arsenal’s women’s team and managed its Youth Academy? Hayes’s success brought her to Chelsea FC Women, where she transformed the team into a global powerhouse over a 12-year streak. She introduced sports science, medical support, and dedicated facilities, fostering loyalty and resilience among her players. In 2024, Hayes’s coaching excellence earned her the head coach role for the U.S. Women’s National Team, guiding them to Olympic gold in Paris ???? Outside of her coaching career, Hayes balances her demanding work life with motherhood, raising her young son with the same dedication she brings to the field. Her achievements were recently recognized with the Johan Cruyff Award for Best Female Coach at the 2024 Ballon d'Or ceremony ?? #FlameBearers #USWNT #Paris2024 #Olympics #Soccer #Coach

????Remember Imane Khelif, the Olympic boxer who faced harsh accusations and skepticism over her sex? ????Despite the attacks,?Imane Khelif?held her ground, focused on her dreams, and took home Olympic gold. She relied on her faith, resilience, and unwavering mindset to push through. Today, she’s not only a champion in the ring but also a star beyond it, gracing the cover of Vogue Arabia redefining Arab beautify and power ? “No one has been able to shake my self-confidence - and that’s the secret to my success.” ??According to?ESPN, she shared “I send a message to all the people of the world to uphold the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter, to refrain from bullying all athletes…It can destroy people, it can kill people’s thoughts, spirit and mind. It can divide people.” She didn’t let the vitriol impact her, telling?Vogue, “my country stood by me with great conviction.” She also shared, “In suffering, champions are born.” ??Share to elevate what Imane‘s words and what has happened since??? The IOC reaffirmed Imane’s eligibility following her victory against Angela Carini. As Thomas Bach, IOC President stated, “what we see now is that some want to own the definition of who is a woman…I can only invite them to come up with a scientific-based, new definition of who is a woman and how can somebody being born, raised, competed, and having a passport as a woman cannot be considered a woman.” ??:?@voguearabia #FlameBearers #Boxer #Boxing #ImaneKhelif #Vogue

Ever find yourself comparing yourself to others? ??♀? Take a page from Indian swimmer Chahat Arora’s mindset! ??♀? In our latest podcast episode,?Chahat?shares her unique approach to daily life as an athlete. Rather than comparing herself to others, she stays focused on personal growth, taking it one day at a time. “Instead of just thinking ‘I want to go to the Olympics’ or chasing big goals, aim to be better every day. Compare yourself with who you were yesterday, not with others.” Send to someone who could use this reminder! ?? ?? to ??: https://lnkd.in/e2nDMqPX ?? to ??: https://lnkd.in/eAtyrNnU #FlameBearers #Swimmer #Podcast #WomeninSports

??♀?Do YOU know what a Paralympic tandem pilot is??? Well with the help of Team USA's Skyler Samuelson Espinoza we are here to tell you! Skyler is a fierce cyclist, passionate storyteller, dedicated dog mom, talented baker, and podcast host with a heart full of grit and resilience! We were lucky enough to sit down with her and hear about her journey on a episode of the Unedited series of our podcast? "The biggest myth I want to bust? Para-sports are just as intense, competitive, and challenging as able-bodied sports,” she shared with us. To hear more about Skylers journey to the Paralympic stage click on the links below!???? ?? here: https://lnkd.in/eAtyrNnU ?? here: https://lnkd.in/gSiVmVP8 #FlameBearers #Paralympics #Podcast #Cycling

Huge congratulations to Ukraine’s own Yaroslava Mahuchikh, crowned the Best Track and Field Athlete in Europe for 2024!?? ????Breaking records and setting new heights, she achieved an incredible world record of 2.10 meters, won Olympic gold, and brought home the Diamond League title for the third year running! This past weekend she accepted the award looking stunning becoming the second Ukrainian athletes to receive this honor?? #FlameBearers #FemaleAthletes #WomensSports