Editor’s note: This commentary is by Ida Sargent who grew up in Barton and is a member of the U.S. Olympic Ski Team as a cross-country skier. She resides in Craftsbury.
[W]alking into the opening ceremonies at the Winter Olympics was an absolute dream come true. The lights, the sounds and the energy were electrifying as I strode side by side with athletes of many different sports and backgrounds from around the globe. We were standing behind different flags and representing different nations but unified by the opportunities, values and friendships which sport provided.
Representing Team USA in Pyeongchang, South Korea, this past winter was my second time competing in the Olympics having first attended the 2014 games in Sochi, Russia. These experiences were a culmination of a dream that began as a 6-year-old girl watching the Olympics on television. I was mesmerized by all the different athletes and sporting events and while I didn’t know yet which sport I would choose, I knew without a doubt that I would become an Olympian.
Fast forward 20 years to my first Olympics and you can imagine the goosebumps of the opening ceremonies and the nerves of the first ski race. Luckily for me, I was supported every step of this amazing journey by a rock-solid community including an active family, compassionate and dedicated teammates, hardworking coaches, and strong role models. Most girls and young women, even in our 21st century society, are not provided these same opportunities to chase their dreams and live confidently believing they can accomplish anything they set their mind to.
As an ambassador for Fast and Female, a nonprofit organization focused keeping girls in sports, I’ve learned that up to 70 percent of girls quit sports by age 13. Girls are six times more likely than boys to drop out of sports before the age 18. They are missing the opportunity to build confidence, gain leadership and teamwork skills, and develop healthy and active lifestyles. I’ve witnessed firsthand, how empowering the positive energy is at a Fast and Female event when a young girl makes new friends and learns a new skill while trying a different sport. As a member of the U.S. Women’s Ski Team that just won the first ever Olympic gold medal in cross country skiing, I’ve been inspired countless times by the ability to achieve nearly impossible goals when we work at them together. And as a fierce competitor, I have come to appreciate the process of the race much more than the finish line.
For that reason, I am so excited to participate in the Persist5k Run/Walk in Burlington on May 13. I can’t wait to run stride for stride with hundreds of other women and men and to continue the momentum created with the women’s marches while also supporting the Vermont Women’s Fund. This event is an opportunity in which we can provide the solidarity and support for young women in need whose paths to their own dreams haven’t been straightforward or easy. It’s an opportunity for us to celebrate the strength we collectively have and embrace the challenges that lie ahead. And most importantly it’s an opportunity to lace up the shoes and have fun outside together. I hope you can join me on Mother’s Day at the Persist5k!
