#defending an olympic title!

[double-oy-7]

sorry to be fencing on main again for the first time in years but damn. scruggs v kiefer. a great bout, even it was short (kiefer's backline mistake at the start was. yikes). scruggs is going places, though, and I think we'll see her do amazing things in the future.

[partybarty]

ARIARNE TITMUS 🐐🥇

[ellsieee]

Gold medalist Kong Manwai (Vivian) in women's epee.

Two time gold medalist Cheung Kalong (Edgar) in men's foil.

These two finals were thrilling to watch even though I know next to nothing about fencing. Both matches went to the very end, with both Vivian and Edgar having to hold their nerve and save match points to take the win. Edgar's match was especially nail biting. I may be biased, but the men's foil final has been the most heart stopping match of the Olympics so far.

[tangerinefluff]

men’s volleyball in the olympics just wrapped up and france defended their title. insane!!

[muirneach]

why is rogers cup posting that hubi is a seed there. and alex? i highly doubt it

[canadachronicles]

View this post on Instagram

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JUST WONDERFUL!!!

Source: Canada Soccer's Instagram Page

[raven2012]

-10 Years-

You were standing on the pitch looking at the people, standing in the stands.

It was the Champions League final of 2014. 

Wolfsburg vs Barcelona.

This was your dream coming true, at seventeen you were playing for one of europe's biggest Womens football teams and you were on your way up. 

You started warming up when you saw her, you were instantly mesmerized by the brunette beauty.

She was warming up and talking to a teammate when she laughed and you could see her beautiful smile.

You couldn't take your eyes off her until a teammate of yours told you to come to the tunnel and get ready to walk out. 

Once you got into position in the tunnel, you saw her again.

But this time she caught you looking and shyly smiled at you.

Your heart fluttered, you desperately wanted to talk to her but now you had to focus on the upcoming final.

53rd Minute, the first half was boring other than a yellow card for your teammate Alex Popp, but now you were sprinting down the right wing. You dribbled past the defenders and shot, the ball was supposed to meet one of your teammates heads, but instead it flew further and curved over the keepers fingers into the goal.

You sprinted into the arms of your teammates, you couldn’t believe it you just shot your first Champions League goal, and that in a final. 

After the game was over and you got your medals, you were standing on the field, looking around yourself and taking it all in.

You turned around and saw that beautiful smile that made your heart flutter. You quickly turned back around, hoping that she didn’t catch you staring at her.

Suddenly you felt a tap on your shoulder, you turned around:,, Hola Hermosa’’ You were met with those beautiful eyes:,,H..hi’’ You stuttered and readiness shot up your face. ,, Would you maybe swap shirts with me?”, she spoke in with that beautiful accent of hers and your face only grew more red.

You quickly nodded and took off your shirt she followed and suddenly you were met with the body of a goddess and you couldn't tear your eyes away from her torso. You felt her looking up and down your body until she put your shirt on:,,Adios, hermosa, I'll see you again.” She leaned in and gave you a light kiss on the cheek.

You put her shirt on and tried to stop the blush that crept up your cheeks:,, Scheisse” you cursed at the realization that you had a crush, a crush on a hot spanish lady who is on the way to being on of the best footballers ever known in history. You really were in deep shit.

You were playing at Olympic Lyon now.

And as history likes it, it was the Champions league final of 2018 and you met Alexia , now your Girlfriend, at the stadium. 

It was actually quite funny to you that you kept your relationship a secret for almost 3 years now. No one knew, only a few close family members. You both were in your own bubble, you flew over to Barcelona as often as you could and Ale came over as often as she could.

Your love life were lazy mornings, secret messages and meetings.

That’s how you found yourself in this situation. In a storage closet of the stadium you were playing in.

Ales lips were on yours and your hands on her waist:,, I missed you so much Amor’’

She kissed along your ear while whispering.  ,,Me too Schatz. I love you so much Schatz’’, Your head snuggled into the crook of her neck and you just enjoyed the warmth that radiated off her, she loved when you  used her as a human pillow. You would randomly lay your head on her lap or her shoulder or bury it in the crook of her neck.

,,,How long do you think we can keep this up? I mean like staying a secret?’’, you ask the love of your life because that's what she was, the love of your life and you were so freaking sure of that.

She kisses your head:,, As long as we want to mi amor’’ We stayed like this for a few more minutes before we went our separate ways to our changing rooms. 

It was all over now. Lyon won the champions league. you did it again, your second champions league title. 

After you let that sink in you realized the love of your life just lost the champions league final.  The next thing you did was walk over to your love and close your arms around her:,,You played so well my love. You were amazing. I love you so much.’’

She looked up and you saw the tears in her eyes. You quickly looked around if anyone could hear you: ,, I love you mi amor. And you're not sleeping at your hotel tonight. You will come home with me and then i’ll let you do whatever you want to me.’’ I whispered the last bit into her ear and could immediately see her smirk and the lust in her eyes.

,, Sí, mi amor. Te amo.’’,with that Ale went back to her teammates. 

The next morning you were really  happy to have the day off because you literally couldn’t walk after Alexia had her fun with you… 

After months of hard work it was finally the off season and you had booked a romantic getaway for you and your girlfriend. You planned everything months in advance.

You wanted it to be perfect because in a few hours you would propose to the love of your life.

The hotel room had been decorated by the staff in a very romantic manner. Rose petals were laid down in a heart shape on the balcony.

From the balcony you could directly see the Eiffel Tower. 

After your flight and a short taxi ride you and Alexia stood in front of the hotel room door. Before you opened the door you made Alexia put down her luggage and turned her around, back facing the wall.

You then unlocked the door. You made sure she had her eyes closed and led her into the room.

You leaned up and kissed her neck lightly. ,,Open your eyes’’,you whispered into her ear.

,,Oh Amor, it’s beautiful’’, she turned around and kissed you with immense passion.

You pulled away:,,Baby we can do that later, first we have a wonderful dinner to enjoy’’, she pouted until she heard that there was dinner for you both.

You lightly chuckled at that and led her to sit down on the sofa and brought both your suitcases into the bedroom.

You both sat on the sofa for a while embraced in each others arms. When dinner came you sat down at the table and enjoyed it. 

After dinner you put on perfect by ed sheeran over your music box:,,Dance with me mi amor’’ You took her hands and put them around your waist, your hands found her neck and rested there.

When the song stopped you kissed her deeply. You suddenly became very nervous as you remembered the ring in your back pocket.

You took a deep breath and led Alexia outside.

You stood on the balcony opposite of Alexia. 

You took her hands in yours: 

,,Mi amor, you are the love of my life. I have known that since the moment I first saw your beautiful face in that stadium. Whenever I see you everything lights up. You make my world brighter mi amor, without you the light would be missing. We helped each other through wins and losses and I couldn’t imagine my life without you and I don’t want to imagine my life ever without you.’’

I got down on one knee and pulled the ring out.

,,Alexia Putellas Segura, mi amor, love of my life, mein Schatz: Quieres casarte conmigo?’’

She had tears running down her face before pulling you into a kiss: ,,Si mi amor, I will, i love you so much!’’ 

Now years later, you just transferred to Barcelona to be with your wife.

None of your teammates knew, but that would change today.

You were with the higher ups signing your contract while Alexia was just arriving at the changing room. She was wearing her wedding ring for the first time around the team.

She was putting her things down in her cubby when she heard Frido: ,,Alexia! Is that a wedding ring?’’

She took her hand in her own and inspected the ring. That’s when the rest of the team realized what was just said.

But before Alexia could say anything you walked through the door. Alexias face lit up once she saw you and she quickly made her way over to you:,,Hola mi amor.’’

She lightly pecked you on the lips.

Alexia put her arm around your waist as Aitana asked: ,,How long have you been together?’’

,,10 Years’’

[intersectionalpraxis]

I LOVE!!!

Congratulations to Li Wenwen, Park Hyejeong, and Emily Campbell!!

[lilacflighthere]

the crows as olympic athletes

kaz

hear me out — table tennis

he'd definitely be one of the more precise players

nicknamed "dirtyhands" for his use of unconventional techniques and trolling his opponents with snake shots and hidden spin

his role models include natalia partyka and ma long

like partyka, he competes in both the olympics and paralympics (classification 9)

inej

i think the obvious choice is artistic gymnastics; she'd be absolutely unbeatable in beam with her amazing balance

her fans have started calling her "the wraith", alluding to the way she twists through the air with unbelievable grace and strength

her biggest rival, dunyasha lazareva, is one of the only gymnasts who can match her in skill

jesper

skeet shooting

ithink the variability of the sport would definitely be something jesper prefers over something like air rifle/pistol

he's a star in the sport shooting world and made his olympic debut at 17 after switching sport from equestrian

(he met wylan at the riding club and the rest is history)

wylan

modern pentathlon

there was a brief scandal with his father and former pentathlete which put him in the public eye, but now he's famous only for his performance in the modern pentathlon

he first appeared at the youth olympic games where he claimed gold by a large margin

now at his first olympic games all eyes are on him as the favourite to win

nina

at tokyo 2020 she's just a random competitor in judo, unknown to most of the world — and then suddenly she shocks the entire world with a gold medal that almost looked easy

now everyone knows not to underestimate her, as she looks to defend her olympic title

matthias

i mean, he's made out of pure muscle, so is it really a surprise to see matthias in olympic wrestling?

he has made a name for himself as six feet and four inches of pure strength and power

he makes the team for the second time, up against competitors like jarl brum, three time olympic gold medallist

[newtonsheffield]

Recently learned the term "Golden Slam" in reference to a player who has won all four major titles, as well as an Olympic gold in the same year. I'm guessing Kate is teed up for such a victory? She would be in a rare group of three other women... including Graf in 1988 (and no one since). 👀

Oh for sure.

That’s the question everyone’s asking in the lead up to the US Open. Kate Sharma’s in the best form of her already impressive career. She’s won the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and not one but two gold medals. All she needs is to win the US Open and it’s done. She’s the defending Champion there and everyone’s talking about it. She’s asked again and Again about it in the lead up, and her answer’s always the same.

“Of course, that would be an incredible end to our season. My team and I have really worked hard this year, we’ve made a lot of changes to the way we do things and we’ve been seeing good results, obviously. But… that’s not really what we’re focused on coming into the tournament. I’m just focused on playing the best tennis I can.”

“Any winter plans after the WTA finals?”

“Yeah,” Kate laughed, “I’m going to sleep in and block my Mum’s calls for a few days. Bless her.”

Outwardly she’s pretending she doesn’t care. Of course she is, that’s who she is. But when she’s alone with Anthony in their hotel room of course it matters. Her head cushioned against his chest.

“I really want to do it.”

Anthony nodded, his fingers making soothing circles against the skin of her back. “You know you can still be the best without it right? You don’t have anything to prove to anyone.”

That was one of the things she loved about Anthony. His firm belief that everything she did should be for her. What other people said didn’t matter. It wasn’t wasting a gift if she didn’t win everything. Mary had tried to tell her the same so many times but it had been a lesson she had to learn for herself.

“I know. But I still want to win.”

Anthony’s chuckle vibrated through her. “Of course you do. We’re competitive monsters.”

“Our children are going to be wild.”

“Thinking about my babies? Calm down Sharma.”

Kate can hardly believe it when her opponent hits the ball and it lands in the net and the tension breaks and the crowd roars. Her racquet fell to the ground in surprise and tears stung at her eyes as she stepped forward to shake hands with the other woman and then the umpire.

Then she takes off running, climbing into the stands to the box where her family’s waiting for her. Tears are running down her face by the time she wraps her arms around Mary, then Edwina and finally Anthony who spins her around while the crowd roars.

“Go take a bow.”

It’s the first question she gets asked when she returns to centre court, a golden slam, how does that feel?

“Honestly, yeah it feels incredible. But, I didn’t do this by myself. Obviously my Mum, she nearly did this in the final year she was on the tour and I wanted to do this for the two of us. My sister who grumbles about filling in as my hitter but I don’t think a lot of people realise that at Wimbledon last year I was probably in the worst headspace of my life. I… genuinely don’t know if I’d still be playing tennis if I hadn’t met Anthony. He’s been a huge part of my success this year and I know he’d disagree with me but this success is his as well. I love you, let’s blow off work and go on holiday.”

The crowd roared with laughter and the season’s not done yet, but it feels done. For her it feels done. One of the greatest there ever was at 23, with years still to come in her career.

[maximumwobblerbanditdonut]

NEW ZEALAND RETAIN OLYMPIC WOMEN’S RUGBY SEVEN TITLE IN PARIS 🇫🇷🏉

Aotearoa 🇳🇿 that’s Gold 🥇

Black Ferns Sevens are Olympic Champions !

Les Black Ferns Sevens sont Championnes Olympiques !

It is the Black Ferns' third rugby sevens Olympic medal after also securing silver at Rio 2016.

The Black Ferns Sevens are the first women's rugby team to secure back to back Olympic golds. Fiji's men's team is the only nation to achieve that feat before today.

The Black Ferns (Māori: Rarauhe Pango) treated the Stade de France crowd in Paris to a powerful haka after winning back-to-back Olympic gold medals in the rugby sevens. Pushed in the final by a resilient Canadian side. The Black Ferns won 19-12.

Following the medal ceremony the players went to the side of the field with their gold medals on and performed the haka.

Take a bow ladies and keep doing what you do best. Congrats and cheers for the gold medal! 🤩

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe fends off a Canada defender on her way to a try for the Black Ferns sevens in Paris. (Source: Getty)

New Zealand held off a spirited Canada to defend their Olympic gold in Paris CARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty Images

New Zealand players celebrate following victory in the women's rugby sevens gold medal match. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand Sevens were officially launched in 2000. They have played in 80 tournaments, winning 50 and finishing runners-up 14 times.

Attendance records for women’s rugby are being smashed quicker than a Blyde runaway these days. At these Olympics, more than 60,000 fans packed into Stade de France for all three days. In September the Black Ferns and England play a WXV 1 Test at Twickenham. With a capacity of 75,000, there is a high chance the game will sell out and break the record once again.

#Paris2024 #olympics #TheFernIsAllOfUs🥇 #RugbySevensWomen #Aotearoa #goldmedal #rugby #theHaka #NZTeam

Posted 31st July 2024

[soiwatchyougo]

i can see you

teen readers only- suggestive content.

From Ingrid’s seat in the Royal box, she had a perfect view.

She could see the swarms of fans excitedly finding their seats, the stadium slowly filling up until it was a sea of blue and red. She could see the big screens that showcased the score, but that were currently running through the lineups. Most importantly, she could see the pitch.

The pitch that currently housed one of the hottest women Ingrid had ever seen.

Probably the hottest.

Ingrid knew that as the princess of Norway, she should be completely focused on her team. It was a historic moment, with Norway reaching the final of the Nations League and already qualifying for the Olympics. Despite a few rocky years, they had flourished under new leadership and were desperate to win their first title in over a decade.

But Ingrid couldn’t stop her eyes from wandering to the other side of the pitch where Spain was warming up. The Spanish team looked cool and composed, and although Ingrid could admit that the entire team was unfairly attractive, her eyes were drawn to one specific player.

Number 16.

Mapi Leon.

Ingrid felt her mouth going dry as she watched the defender calmly shoot the ball from outside the box, her stretched leg showcasing her toned quadriceps.

God, I would ride that.

Ingrid nearly choked on air, quickly banishing her intrusive thoughts. She watched the ball sail behind the goalkeeper and into the back of the net, and she couldn’t help but smirk as the defender shrugged at her teammates, as if scoring goals like that was an everyday occurrence.

Ingrid tore her eyes away from the tattooed defender, aware that if she stared any longer, she might start drooling. Covertly, her eyes scanned the cameras to make sure no one had caught her pining after the opposition. Her attendance was common, even at away games, and she knew it was important to always be professional. She rarely celebrated with the team, even though her heart ached to be dancing with them in the locker room. She had played football as a child, and although she had to stop due to security concerns, she still loved the game. She avidly watched the Norwegian league, and one of her main roles within the royal family was to promote women in sports.

The teams finished their warm-ups, and Ingrid nonchalantly watched them walk towards her. Her box was positioned just above the tunnel, and Ingrid had never been more grateful to have the best seats in the house. From her position, she could watch as Mapi erupted into laughter at one of her teammate’s jokes. Her eyes creased with joy as she tipped her head back, exposing her neck tattoo and highlighting her sharp jawline. Her brown eyes were shining with mischief as she glanced up at Ingrid and nodded slightly, her mouth turning up into a small smile. Ingrid could feel her heart thumping and her skin growing clammy as the Spaniard disappeared into the tunnel.

The truth was Mapi could turn Ingrid into a stumbling mess with just one look.

Ingrid hated how much the defender could affect her. Even during tricky negotiations with presidents, she remained calm, never letting her emotions overcome her. She had spoken to millions on television, attended countless balls full of billionaires and world leaders and negotiated trade deals.

Yet nothing rattled her as much as Mapi did.

She had first seen the defender nearly a year ago when she attended the Champions League final. Despite there being no Norwegian teams present, Ingrid still thought it would be beneficial to watch and promote the match. She had travelled to London knowing very little about Barcelona or PSG, her focus having been on developing the Norwegian league. In hindsight, she probably should’ve researched the players.

Then at least she wouldn’t have been quite so blown away by Mapi’s beauty.

The entire match, she couldn’t take her eyes off the defender. Even when Mapi was simply standing and watching her team attack, Ingrid’s eyes were glued to her. She barely even noticed the goals, and every time Mapi got the ball Ingrid held her breath, cursing any player that tried to tackle her. Even Ingrid’s distance from the pitch couldn’t disguise the way her shirt clung to her arms, or her smirk when she successfully regained possession, her confident demeanour making Ingrid shift uncomfortably in her seat.

Ingrid had been invited onto the pitch after the match, her royal status making her a celebrity. The nerves that overcame her were foreign, and she couldn’t believe that she had been more confident having dinner with the Prime Minister the previous night. She shook the hands of the victorious Barcelona players, congratulating them on their 3-1 win.

Finally, Mapi reached her. Ingrid wiped her clammy hands on her trousers and smiled at the defender, lifting her eyes and reaching her hand out. Mapi’s strong hand squeezed hers, and Ingrid’s knees went weak, her hand turning limp.

Ingrid blushed as she quickly pulled her hand away. She blamed her sudden attraction for Mapi on the fact that it had been a while since she had been laid. Everyone she met had to go through rigorous security checks, so she had nearly given up on dating, relying on her well-used vibrator.

“Thank you for coming, princesa ,” Mapi said in accented English, “I hope you enjoyed the game.”

Ingrid’s face turned impossibly redder at the way her title slipped out of the Spaniard’s mouth. She had never heard it sound sexier than in Mapi’s Spanish drawl, and paired with the smirk on the defender’s face, it was a killer combination.

“Uh,” Ingrid managed to stumble, “I did, thank you. You played very well.”

This time it was Mapi’s turn to blush and rub the back of her neck nervously; a girl didn’t get complimented by a princess every day. The Norwegian looked effortlessly stunning in a tailored blue suit, and Mapi couldn’t help but feel intimidated.

During the match Mapi couldn’t stop her eyes from unconsciously darting to where Ingrid was sitting, her eyes always finding startling green. She added a few extra flourishes to her moves to impress the princess, and when the final whistle blew, she looked up to the stands hoping to see Ingrid cheering. The princess tried to remain neutral, but Mapi could’ve sworn that she saw her mouth turn up in a small smile, a sight that made Mapi grin.

“I’m glad you noticed,” she said cheekily, her honey-brown eyes lighting up. “I hope to see you again- if you’re ever in Barcelona, I’ve been told I make a pretty good tour guide.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” the Norwegian replied with a chuckle. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had tried to woo her, most people too intimidated by her status to try. But Mapi didn’t seem nervous, which only served to make Ingrid’s heart beat faster, butterflies fluttering in her chest.

Ingrid waited until she got home to search for the Spaniard on Instagram, using her anonymous account. Much to Ingrid’s delight, Mapi didn’t shy away from posting her holiday snaps, and Ingrid reluctantly reached into her bedside draw, her thrumming need outweighing her shame; it should be illegal to be that attractive.

Ingrid was pulled out of her reminiscing by the players re-entering the pitch. They lined up to sing their national anthems, and Ingrid watched in appreciation. She never sang the anthem as it felt too odd to sing about saving her father, but she made sure to nod and wave when it had finished.

Finally, the whistle blew, and the players immediately started running. Ingrid’s eyes automatically strayed to Mapi and she had to physically drag them away, knowing that this time she had a team to support. It was a physical game and both teams pressed hard, capitalising on loose passes and mis-timed tackles. By half-time the score was level, and the players looked exhausted as they walked back into the tunnel. Ingrid couldn’t help but notice the way Mapi’s shirt highlighted her muscles and sweat dripped off her face, her jaw clenched as she listened to her teammates.

Ingrid used the half-time break to converse with Norway’s Prime Minister and a few other members of Parliament. She was bored out of her mind, and she barely focused on what they were saying, silently praying for the match to restart so she could return to her seat.

The second half was no less competitive, and Ingrid held her breath as Spain managed to slot another shot into the back of the net. Fortunately, that meant Norway focused on attacking and Ingrid got to watch Mapi guilt-free. The defender was completely in her element and Ingrid couldn’t help but blush as her mind wandered, thinking of all the other ways the Spaniard could be in control.

Ingrid winced as the full-time whistle blew. Norway had lost, and although it was great for them to reach the final, it was painful to be so close and not be able to grasp the victory. The Spanish players started to celebrate on the pitch as Ingrid slowly made her way down, stopping and thanking several people on the way. Even though Norway hadn’t won, Ingrid was still going to present the medals, but truthfully, she was just looking forward to seeing Mapi.

Since their first meeting, the Norwegian hadn’t been able to get the defender out of her mind. She thought that over time the crush would weaken, but if anything, it got stronger. She constantly checked the Spaniard’s Instagram and secretly watched the Barcelona games on her laptop, quickly flicking to another tab if anyone entered. Sheepishly, she searched Mapi online and spent an afternoon watching her interviews, blushing when she laughed out loud at the Spaniard’s cheesy comments.

She wasn’t sure why she was so obsessed with this woman she had only briefly met, but there was something about the juxtaposition of her hard appearance and bubbly personality that made Ingrid’s heart flutter.

She had to stop herself from immediately heading towards Mapi, first consoling her team and congratulating them on their performance. It was taking a while for them to set up the stage, so Ingrid chatted with the players, her eyes searching for a certain defender. Her brow furrowed as she swivelled her head, Mapi nowhere in sight. Ingrid knew she was smaller, but she didn’t think she was that unnoticeable.

A tap on her back made her turn around in confusion. Not many people were brave enough to touch a princess, let alone a cheeky pat on the back.

“Hola princesa,” Mapi said with a smile, her tone teasing. She wasn’t sure where the confidence to flirt with a princess had originated from, but she knew that it made Ingrid’s eyes light up, so she figured there was no harm in a bit of fun.

Ingrid face broke out into a wide grin when she noticed it was the defender. Mapi’s face was still red from playing, and she was tightly gripping a water bottle, her tattooed hands veiny. Ingrid couldn’t believe she was thirsting over someone’s hands, but it seemed like every part of the Spaniard was attractive.

“Hello Maria,” Ingrid said sweetly, her body thrumming with a mix of nerves and arousal, “congratulations on your win.”

“Thank you,” Mapi said cheekily, “I always play better when I know there’s a pretty girl in the crowd.”

Her eyes roamed the Norwegian’s face, and Ingrid couldn’t stop the blush from colouring her cheeks.

One compliment.

One compliment from Mapi Leon and she was a stumbling mess.

“Uh, that’s nice,” Ingrid said, finally managing to regain some sense.

“You should come to our afterparty,” Mapi said, her eyes lighting up at the prospect, “you’re more than welcome- most people are bringing family members or friends.”

“Uhh,” Ingrid said with a wince, “I’m not sure I should be seen fraternizing with the opposition.”

Mapi’s face fell, and Ingrid felt a pang in her heart. She desperately wanted to party with the Spaniard, but she was a princess ; the media would crucify her. For as long as she could remember, she had been a perfect professional, never putting a foot wrong. Some people thought she was hard and cold, but Ingrid was just trying to protect herself, no matter how difficult it was to always be calm and appear unfeeling.

Something had started to change recently. She was tired of always putting her royal duties first, and she couldn’t recall the last time someone had invited her out. It dawned on her that she may never see Mapi again, and this might be her only chance to spend time with the woman she had spent the last year obsessing over.

“Well,” the Norwegian continued hesitantly, “I could try and sneak in...”

“Really?” Mapi said excitedly, “I would make sure no one took any photos with you in, and if you want a Spanish shirt as a disguise, I’ve got plenty.”

“Steady Maria- I’m not that much of a traitor,” Ingrid said with a chuckle. She found the Spaniard’s rambling rather adorable, and under different circumstances, she wouldn’t be against wearing Mapi’s name on her back.

Mapi looked sheepishly at the ground. She could barely contain her excitement, but she didn’t want to scare Ingrid off before the party had even started. The Norwegian was taking a risk coming to the celebration, and Mapi was determined to make sure that she wouldn’t regret coming.

“Let me just go and get my phone to text you the address,” the defender said, already sprinting towards the changing room. Ingrid watched her retreating form with a smile on her face. Mapi had her wrapped around her little finger, and Ingrid couldn’t remember the last time she had been so excited yet nervous to attend an event. She was already mentally sorting her closet for an appropriate outfit, the small problem of evading her bodyguards barely dampening her joyful mood.

Mapi sprinted back, and Ingrid couldn’t help but admire her endurance; she had just played 90 minutes of hard football. The defender enthusiastically unlocked her phone and handed it to Ingrid, a shy smile on her face. Ingrid typed in her name and phone number, her thumb shaking slightly with nerves as she pressed the keyboard. It felt oddly intimate to be holding Mapi’s phone, and she reluctantly handed it back to the expectant Spaniard.

“Are there any drinks you like? We normally have beer, but I don’t know what you drink in Norway. I can get anything from the shop...”

Mapi’s face was wrinkled with concern, and the Norwegian couldn’t help but smirk at how eager she was to please her.

Ingrid reached her hand out and calmly placed it on Mapi’s shoulder, “I’ll be fine with whatever.”

“Are you sure?” Mapi said with a frown. She was prepared to scour every shop in Oslo if it made the princess happy. Ingrid was probably used to lavish parties, and although Mapi knew she couldn’t compete, she could at least attempt to make the Norwegian feel more welcome.

“Yes,” Ingrid said firmly, “I don’t always need princess treatment.”

“But you deserve it,” Mapi protested with a pout. Ingrid sent her a warning glance, and the defender relented, holding her hands up in mock surrender. “Okay, I’ll stop. I’m sure my company will be enough anyway...”

“You’re certainly not lacking confidence,” Ingrid said with a chuckle, shaking her head affectionately. She didn’t doubt that she’d have a good time with Mapi; in fact, she was more worried about having too much of a good time and not wanting the Spaniard to leave.

Mapi pouted, “All I’m saying is make sure you wear your dancing shoes- I might even whip out my famous dance move if you’re lucky...”

“...or if you’re too drunk.” Ingrid retorted.

The defender opened her mouth in mock offence, “I’m a dedicated athlete- that's slander!”

The pair were both grinning like idiots, and Ingrid couldn’t believe quite how easily the conversation flowed. She rarely got to show her teasing side for fear of upsetting the wrong person, but it just felt so natural with Mapi.

Mapi nodded over Ingrid’s shoulder, “I think they’ve finished setting up the stage.”

Ingrid nodded gratefully, “I guess duty calls then- I'll see you tonight, Maria.”

“Looking forward to it.”

Regretfully, Ingrid walked over to the stage. She could’ve spent hours chatting with Mapi, but instead, she stood next to the Prime Minister and shook the Norwegian players’ hands before they collected their silver medals. The Spanish team was next, and Ingrid waited expectantly for Mapi, her forced smile turning into a real one when the defender was in front of her. Mapi was gone as soon as she arrived, and Ingrid watched as they lifted the trophy. It was a bittersweet moment for her country, but she knew that the pure fact that they reached the final would eventually be a positive, despite the pain they felt now.

She made a swift exit, complaining that she could feel a headache forming whenever someone tried to engage her in a conversation. Leaving the stadium, she waved at the crowds of fans until they disappeared, a fake smile plastered on her face. She retrieved her phone from her bag, noticing she had a new notification from an unknown number. It stated the address of a hotel in the centre of the city, combined with a GIF of someone dancing and another of someone staring longingly at alcohol. Ingrid didn’t need to ask who it was as she sent another GIF back, her one depicting someone holding their thumbs up. She added Mapi to her contacts and smiled in relief, before groaning and complaining that her head was killing her. From previous experiences, she knew that her bodyguards happily took the night off when she was ill, trusting her to stay inside.

Stepping out of the car in front of her apartment, Ingrid made sure to exaggerate a wince. “I think I’m going to go straight to bed- my head is killing me. There’s no point in you guys waiting around, so you can go home if you want.”

“Are you sure?” One of her bodyguards said, barely able to contain his excitement. Football matches were always a security nightmare, and they were both absolutely exhausted.

“Of course,” Ingrid said sweetly, feeling slightly guilty about deceiving them. She waved them goodbye and unlocked her apartment door, breathing a sigh of relief when she finally shut it. Despite her parents wanting her to live at the Palace, Ingrid craved more independence, so they compromised on a secure apartment in Oslo. She loved designing her own space, and it certainly helped to have less security when she wanted to sneak out.

She quickly showered and picked her outfit, pairing a black crop top with some jeans which she knew made her ass look fabulous. Settling herself in front of her dressing table, she tried to apply some makeup, but her hand was trembling so much that she nearly poked her eye out with her mascara wand. She quickly discarded that plan and grabbed a jacket, sneaking down the stairs and out of the back door. Although her bodyguards had left, there may be other members of the security team outside, and she didn’t want to run the risk of not reaching the party.

The night was chilly so Ingrid covertly hailed a taxi on the next street, giving the driver the address of the hotel. Thankfully they didn’t seem to recognise her, and Ingrid settled into her seat, her heart still thumping wildly. She had forgotten how it felt to have romantic feelings for someone, and although it would probably never amount to anything due to her status and Mapi’s busy life, Ingrid still felt oddly optimistic.

It was only a short journey and Ingrid paid the driver with cash, not wanting anyone to be able to trace her credit card. The hotel looked reasonably posh with a modern lobby and a four-star rating, and Ingrid hesitantly pushed open the pristine glass door, peering for any signs of any Spanish players. She sent Mapi a text to let her know that she had arrived and sat down on one of the armchairs in the corner, concealed by a large plant. She then turned her phone off so that it couldn’t be tracked and sat back, her knee bouncing nervously until she saw Mapi turn the corner and smile, beckoning the Norwegian over. Ingrid tried to confidently walk over to the defender despite the fact her legs felt like jelly; it was a good thing she had years of professional training to rely on.

Mapi was wearing a tank top and a pair of leather trousers, her hair loosely framing her face. Ingrid had only ever seen her with her hair in a bun, and although she had seen photos of wavy-haired Mapi, nothing quite prepared her for how it would look in the flesh.

“You came!” Mapi said excitedly. She briefly looked Ingrid up and down, a small smile playing on her lips. Ingrid couldn’t help but blush under her gaze, the Spaniard’s dark eyes finally returning to her face. “You look beautiful princesa.”

“ So do you,” Ingrid replied, her voice slightly lower than normal.

Mapi reached her arm out and Ingrid gladly took it, the mere feeling of their bare skins touching causing goosebumps. She didn’t have the heart to tell the defender that princesses didn’t need to be escorted anymore, not when Mapi looked so pleased with herself. Her wide smile was infectious, and Ingrid was so busy examining her freckle-dotted face that she failed to see the step straight in front of her.

“Watch where you’re going,” Mapi teased, steadying the Norwegian. Ingrid blushed and tried not to focus on how firm the defender’s forearm muscle felt, keeping her eyes on the floor for the rest of the walk.

They reached the end of the corridor and Mapi pulled open the door with a flourish, the sound of some Spanish pop immediately audible. Ingrid hesitantly entered the dark room, Mapi following close behind.

Ingrid could make out the shapes of people dancing, but she couldn’t decipher their faces, something that sent a wave of relief crashing through her. If she couldn’t recognise them, hopefully, she would be able to remain relatively anonymous and fully relax.

Mapi ushered her towards the drinks table and gestured proudly to a bottle of Aquavit, a popular drink in Norway. Ingrid felt her heart swelling with affection, her hard edges softening with the hopeful look in Mapi’s eyes.

She confidently reached forward and unscrewed the lid, pouring some into two shot glasses until the liquid reached the top. Passing one to Mapi, she raised her eyebrow, challenging the Spaniard to drink it. Mapi smiled wickedly and tipped her head back, her eyes widening as the spicy liquid slid down her throat. Ingrid smirked as the defender tried to stop herself from spluttering, her tattooed hand coming to cover her mouth. Ingrid expertly shot hers without a wince, victoriously slamming the glass back onto the table.

“Aye that’s not fair,” Mapi said after taking a generous swig of beer to soothe her throat. “You didn’t warn me it would be that bad!”

“You didn’t ask,” Ingrid said with a shrug of her shoulders.

Mapi pouted and Ingrid poured another shot, offering it to the Spaniard. Mapi shook her head vehemently, cradling her beer like a child. Ingrid took the shot and looked around the room, noticing that she and Mapi were the only two who weren’t dancing.

“You care to join me on the dancefloor?” Ingrid said uncertainly, her previous nervousness returning. Her childhood had been filled with ballroom lessons, but she had no idea how to dance to pop music. She worried her long limbs would be uncoordinated and she didn’t want to embarrass herself, especially in front of Mapi. The defender seemed like the type of person who could be good at anything without trying, or even if she wasn’t, she’d still look good doing it.

“It would be my pleasure.”

Ingrid grabbed Mapi’s hand and pulled her into the throng of people. They stood a respectable distance apart and Ingrid slowly started to sway her hips in time with the music, tipping her head back. When she looked back down Mapi was barely moving, her eyes fixed on Ingrid’s body. She was too far away to make out the expression in her eyes, but her mouth was slightly hanging open, which Ingrid took as a good sign. Boldly, she took a step forward and placed her arms on Mapi’s shoulders, looping her hands around the back of her neck. Mapi looked her up and down with a smirk, and normally Ingrid might’ve felt awkward, but it only spurred her on more.

She leaned her head forward and whispered into Mapi’s ear, “What, do you not know how to dance?”

Ingrid let her lips lightly brush the Spaniard’s cheek as she pulled away, and she felt Mapi tense slightly. She wondered if she may have taken it too far, but when she searched Mapi’s eyes for reassurance, she was met with something she could only describe as pure desire.

Her eyes were dark, and Ingrid had never felt more powerful. She had convinced Presidents to change their opinions, and sure she had solved the country's energy crisis, yet there was something about turning the confident footballer into a lustful wreck that made her feel on top of the world.

Mapi stepped closer so their chests brushed against each other, separated only by two flimsy pieces of fabric. She placed her hands on the small of Ingrid’s back and started moving in time with the music. Ingrid could feel Mapi’s hot breath on her neck, and she barely noticed the crowd around her; at that moment, it was just her and Mapi.

Just as Ingrid had believed, the defender was a talented dancer. Her nimble feet moved in time with the music, and every time she stepped forward her firm abdomen pressed against Ingrid’s hips, making it very hard for Ingrid to stop her mind from being infiltrated with dirty thoughts. She was no longer focused on her dancing ability, her mind wholly consumed with how hot Mapi looked pressed against her.

She slowly threaded her fingers through the defender’s hair and tugged lightly, angling Mapi’s head so they were facing each other. Mapi smiled shyly, her eyes still fired up with desire. She could smell Ingrid’s vanilla perfume, and having the princess’ collarbones mere millimetres away from her face was driving her crazy. Everything about Ingrid was perfect, from the soft skin on her back to her startling green eyes, and Mapi had never wanted to kiss someone so badly.

Ingrid’s heart fluttered from nerves as she hesitantly lowered her head, her eyes never leaving Mapi’s. The Spaniard swallowed roughly and tilted her head upwards, able to feel Ingrid’s hot breath on her cheek. It felt like an eternity for Mapi, their lips tantalisingly close but not touching.

Finally, Ingrid closed the gap.

The Norwegian’s lips were soft and pillowy, and Mapi swore she had never felt anything so perfect. Their lips perfectly slotted together, moving in a slow rhythm that made Mapi feel weak at the knees. She pulled Ingrid closer but made no effort to deepen the kiss, wanting to let her dictate the pace. All her instincts screamed at her to use her tongue, but Ingrid seemed hesitant, and Mapi was still blissfully content to even have Ingrid’s lips against hers.

They eventually had to break for air and Mapi opened her eyes to be met with a smiling Ingrid, her lips slightly glistening. Mapi knew it was wrong to be this turned on by a simple kiss, and even though her mind was slightly clouded by lust, she was certain that no one was a better kisser than the princess.

The princess.

Mapi had just kissed a princess.

If Ingrid wasn’t still slightly tugging her hair, Mapi would have to pinch herself to make sure this was real. She had been fantasising about the Norwegian since their first meeting a year ago, and never in her wildest dreams had she ever thought Ingrid would be interested in her.

“You want to get out of here?” Ingrid whispered hoarsely into Mapi’s ear, “I’m not sure I can show you quite how hot you are with all these people around.”

Mapi smirked and nodded. She was worried that Ingrid didn’t want to take things further, but of course Ingrid was concerned about her privacy and what would happen if someone filmed them passionately kissing on the dancefloor. Ingrid led them out of the party, barging through the rest of the team to get to the door. Some of Mapi’s teammates stared at her questioningly, but the defender didn’t bother to respond, her eyes firmly focused on the blush forming on Ingrid’s chest. They only just made it out of the door before Ingrid pounced on Mapi, this time her tongue immediately probing at the Spaniard’s lips. The kiss was dizzying, and Mapi couldn’t believe she had gone her whole life without the Norwegian’s talented tongue wreaking havoc in her mouth. Ingrid kissed her like she was the last woman on earth, and Mapi had never been more painfully turned on.

“So,” Ingrid whispered, “your room or my apartment?”

Mapi bit her lip, her eyes widening at the prospect. Of course, she wanted to sleep with Ingrid, but she had never expected to have the princess outright asking her, her voice dripping with seduction.

“Your apartment princesa ,” Mapi said when she finally recovered, “I want to hear you scream my name without worrying about my teammates hearing.”

Ingrid nearly dragged a smirking Mapi down the corridor, with only one thing on her mind. She somehow managed to find a taxi, and the defender wasn’t sure how they managed to make it back to Ingrid’s apartment without ripping each other's clothes off. When they did finally get rid of the offending garments, Mapi quickly learned that Ingrid was not always a princesa; in fact, she was far from it.

[sunnyseungup]

Hyunjin fic recs 2

stray kids | Hwang Hyunjin

masterlist | part 1

[ updated 240726 ]

5:15 am { f } @dreamyyeosang

cliche meetcutes { f } 0,9k @chvrrycola

04 sharing haring a bed series { f2l, s } @skzdarlings

Ice { mafia au, strangers2l; a, s, f } 4,5k @healinghyunjin

Sheer good looks aside though…you’d seen his face on the news. What was his name? You remembered that it was something elegant, soft on the lips - a name that didn’t seem to fit the cruel, hardened mafioso it belonged to. 

It was only when those cold icy eyes locked with yours, gaze chilling even from all the way across the bar, that it finally came to mind. 

Hwang Hyunjin. 

kinktober day five { f2l; s } 2,5k @gimmeurtmi

uni student hyunjin but make it art

9:02 A.M { f } @forlix

Read between the lines { f } 0,5k @inkelea

Making out in a car { s } @astraystayyh

are you bored yet? { insecure y/n; a, f } @ebbaskz

“but i can’t help from asking ‘are you bored yet?’ ”

I’ll make those insecurities disappear { a, f, s } @lotus-dly

Taste { s } @moonjxsung

Sunday’s Paradigm { f2l, college; f } 2,6k @sunboki

He was a cold person. Spiteful and brash to all people too close, scared to let his walls down. Except, to him, you’re a spectacle. A classmate he realizes he can’t exactly find reason to dislike while he sketched you from his stool in the art room.

The deal. @hyunedew

the one where you accidentally summon the king of hell in your pursuit to pass your class.

Pendulum { f, a, s } 1,2k @1-800-shedevil

You visit Hyunjin on the night of his big art exhibit intent on closing this chapter of your life but he's not willing to let go that easily.

Say yes to me { f } @astraystayyh

after your seven minutes in heaven, hyunjin wants to plan out how he'll finally confess to you. except you come knocking on the door of his rented cabin unannounced. at 10:53 pm. the perfect time for love, he comes to learn.

Bound to You { Cerberus, Goddess, Greek Mythology; f, s } 4,3k @winter-dayz

“What are we?” { f } @jinhyun

Drunken with a sense of love { drunken confessions, fake dating } 7,1k @hanibalistic

you and hyunjin got drunk at different times, and you two took care of each other similarly. 

Thinking about how attentive hyunjin would be when you’re sick { f } @seungminhour

Christmas Eve with Hwang Hyunjin { f } @agi-ppangx

Eight days of Christmas carols - day 4 { f } @rachalixie

Pussy agenda with Hyunjin { s } @fluffylino

Sigma kappa zeta’s olympic level beer pong team { + Innie x reader; s } 7,2k @/skzms

it's the last frat party before winter break and you, hyunjin and jeongin have a title to defend. who knows where it might lead (we do, it leads to the three of you smoking weed and fucking in jeongin's room)

9mitm { s } @straykeedz

Babysitter.com { single dad Hyune; s, f } @mnwrld

hyunjin's whole life changed when his daughter was born--it was the single best day of his life. but parenting was harder than he thought it would be, especially when he also needed to work to be able to provide for the light of his life. maybe a little help wouldn't hurt? where else could he look but the notorious 'babysitter.com' ?

my love, mine all mine [ f ] 2,3k @/rachalixie

hyunjin setting up the perfect valentine's day for you

verisimilitude [bsf2l; s ] @/skzdarlings

You are a self-identified no-nonsense curmudgeon. Your best friend is an eccentric pretty boy. You accidentally send him an explicit video of yourself. What's the worst that can happen?

The snow falls, we fall apart. [ roommates, f2l; hurt/comfort ] 13k @/astraystayyh

when heartbreak looms on your life, and winter becomes a time you loathe, hyunjin helps you rewrite your memories with the season, and with it, everything you once believed about love.

Something I Needed More [ f2l; f ] 3,2k @skzonthebrain

wherever you are [ f2l; f, a, s ] 12,9k @hyunverse

Hyunjin promised you that he'll be wherever you are. What do you do when your best friend of years — the only person you've ever loved disappears without saying goodbye? Especially when you've spent your entire life with Hyunjin, you didn't know of life without him.

ace [ volleyball player hyune, fake e2l; f ] 15,2k @/forlix

volleyball superstar and your personal hell hwang hyunjin proposes a trade-off you can't refuse: his matchmaking services for a passing anthropology grade. the plan is foolproof in theory; in practice, it is something else entirely.

the storm. [ s ] 2,7k @/tasteracha

Series

devil by the window { DemonxAngel; s } 3k @berryjoong

you’re an angel, hyunjin’s a demon, and you’re both after the same soul. you hate each other, but you just can’t stay away from him.

part two { f, a ,s } 6,4k

the strange man of monterrey manor ( series ) { vampire au; f, s, a }  @quokkacore

chapter one: a marriage most foul

chapter two: voices that wail in the night

chapter three: a solution to the issue at hand (m) [final]

Make Love, Not Porn { s } @charmercharm3r

You crave a life of normalcy, he craves you. And he'd do anything to keep you, even if you're for the world to see.

Play Time 3,8k

Heat Signature 5,9k

Puppeteer 4,3k

Hi, My Name Is 7,7k

Sunday 6,7k

Texts

Boyfriend texts @like-a-diamondinthesky

Boyfriend texts @gyuworm

Note: please let me know if the links are not working ! I’ll try to fix them as soon as possible ^^

[leveloneandup]

Christen Press Is Determined to Reimagine the Way Female Athletes Are Seen

For two-time World Cup winner Christen Press, who made her debut in the U.S. Women’s National Team in 2013, it’s no surprise that women’s sports have been having their moment—both before and throughout these Paris Summer Olympics.

Press, along with her teammate and partner Tobin Heath, have bet big on the public’s love of women’s sports. The duo launched their podcast, The Re-Cap Show, during the 2023 Women’s World Cup—the highest attended in history. It wasn’t their first foray into entrepreneurship in the women’s sports space; they are co-CEOs of Re-Inc, a global community for sports fans and changemakers, which launched ahead of the 2019 World Cup. The Re-Cap Show has amassed a dedicated online fan base, with video clips circulated among Re-Inc's 49,000 YouTube subscribers and 123,000-strong Instagram following.

On The Re-Cap Show, the duo bring fans behind the scenes of professional women’s soccer, both at the international level and in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). They debrief games with high-profile guests such as defender Ali Krieger, previous national team head coach Jill Ellis, current national team captain at the Olympics Lindsey Horan, and Angel City FC co-founder Kara Nortman. Press and Heath also break down and share their own perspectives on buzzy topics like scandals in the NWSL, what it’s like to date your teammate, and the recent cheating saga with the Canadian team.

Press and Heath launched Season 3 of the podcast in June, just in time to document the national soccer team’s journey at the Paris Summer Olympics. For Press—who returned to the pitch for Angel City FC on Thursday for the first time in over two years, after four surgeries to repair her torn ACL—it's up to women’s media to meet this moment and capitalize on it.

TIME delved into the Olympics, The Re-Cap Show, and why this moment in women’s sports is so important during a video interview with Press.

TIME: The momentum for women’s sports right now is immense. Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese enjoyed record-breaking performances in the NCAA last year, and the WNBA opened their 2024 season with their highest attendance in 26 years. This is also the first Olympics with gender parity. How is all of this impacting the way you cover the Paris Olympics with The Re-Cap Show?

Press: You're spot-on that women's sports are having insane momentum right now. For us, all the attention has really increased our mission to reimagine the way women are seen and experienced in sports. We started our show during the World Cup because we’re women soccer players, and that's when we committed to turning on a spotlight [and] never turning it off.

But the Olympics is this huge opportunity to inspire and reveal what's already there: lots of leagues, athletes, and players that are doing their job all-year round, but they get to be at the highest stage this summer. From a business perspective, [it’s about] bringing those supporters, fans, and community members into the women's sports world, which is the most inclusive, diverse, and interesting community that uses sport as a vehicle for change.

Take us back to creating Re-Inc with your teammates Tobin Heath, Megan Rapinoe, and Meghan Klingenberg. How far have you all come since then?

We started Re-Inc in 2019 with a single T-shirt before we went to the World Cup and it said “Liberté, Égalité, Défendez.” It was a play on the French motto [“Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité”] as we had headed to France, so we switched the word “fraternity” to “defend” because as the U.S. Women's National Team, we were defending our title, but we were also defending the principles of liberty and equality.

But since then, it’s grown into a community. Watching women play sports is an act of revolution. Not so long ago, women were not allowed to play sports, and until recently, we were not paid to play sports or paid very well. And so I think as women's sports get heightened, it is just the living and breathing symbol of progress in society that women can rise and be stars on the court and on the field. With launching our media division, we saw how the coverage was failing to represent the lifestyle and culture of us, and it was just a copy and paste from the men's side. The broadcast and the commentary was so off-putting that it was spoiling the sport for us. No one knew how to talk about gal culture.

What kinds of commentary were you used to hearing while you were playing with the U.S. Women’s National Team?

Sometimes, when I'm watching people commentate, I feel like they’re a kindergarten teacher explaining the basics of soccer with the assumption that the person who's watching has no idea what they’re watching.

I think there's a lot that needs to be improved. Also, when it comes to addressing social issues and the institutional prejudice that happens within sports, especially how we talk about Black athletes… The media should make sure you're seeing this vision of a woman athlete in a way that can be a badass—not self-conscious, but laughing loud and really proud of her success. So I think all of those lifestyle and social issues are baked into the game.

And then obviously, as the game grows, we're going to have more expertise and fundamental knowledge and that will just make the broadcast so much better. Part of why the Olympics is so great is because you get the best—the best commentators, the best camera angles—and that's another reason why people will fall in love with all the sports, since it's not, you know, just an iPhone shot of the last 50 meters of a race.

Your former teammate Kelley O’Hara is working with Just Women's Sports. Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird are bringing back their podcast, A Touch More, and your former teammate Sam Mewis is also hosting her own show, The Women’s Game. Why do you think this is the moment where so many female athletes are working in media?

I haven't heard of another market that people are talking about that is successful right now, other than AI and women's sports. I feel very proud to have started this business five years ago and kind of be positioned as ready for the moment as opposed to reacting to the moment. As athletes, we're all inspiring each other and the businesses that are cropping up are inspired by a desire for all of us to raise the game and continue to have an impact. I'm very proud to be about it, to be a part of it, and to be alongside pioneering women. I think the competition is healthy, and it's necessary. It pushes us and I love that.

Many people view women’s sports as a sacred, safe space—something you talk a lot about on your podcast. Is there any fear that as the women’s game becomes more popular and more fans join, that other energies will enter into the space?

I always say the air gets thinner at the top. I think women's sports is a very diverse, inclusive space. And I actually know that members of the community feel very protective of the space. We have our membership community and our members often speak about protecting the space. There will always be challenges as it gets more mainstream.

That’s why I love doing our show: every week, we're talking about the challenges. We’re talking about how the women's sports community feels about someone's bigoted comment or someone who misrepresented them. And it's a two-way dialogue. I think that's really essential to maintain the integrity.

I remember when the social media scandal with midfielder Korbin Albert—who’s currently on the Olympic roster—came out earlier this year. You and Tobin went straight into talking about it. I think a lot of fans were curious to hear from you about it.

It was hard to talk about that, because we were afraid of someone just clipping a tiny piece of the conversation and, like, missing all the nuance and kind of misconstruing our language, but we thought it was important enough to do it anyway. Nuance is something that's consistently missing from the echo chambers.

What are you hoping the Olympics brings to the world of women’s sports?

Kara Nortman, who is the co-founder of Angel City, always tells a story that she was at the 2015 Women’s World Cup, and was completely moved and inspired by us winning. Then, she came home to try to watch us play, and couldn’t find any games, and she couldn't find jerseys. That’s why she started a women's soccer team. I think that story is so beautiful, because it really emulates what's so special at the Olympics.

I think there's a huge opportunity to uplift sports—even the sports that aren't as popular as women's soccer—and for people to go home and become lifelong fans.

[onlyonteamcapforbucky]

Today is sadly the last day of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Before we get to the closing ceremony and the official countdown of the 2026 and 2028 Olympic games, I just have to say these games have been the most wild, unpredicted, chaotic, and entertaining Olympics I have ever had the enjoyment of watching. So many amazing memes and legends came from these Olympics. So many new countries and athletes won their very 1st medal. So many defended a title, came up as underdogs, and powered through to the tops of the podiums. The sportsmanship and encouragement of the athletes between each other, the teasing and lighthearted fun between the audience was something that teared me up and made watching all the more fun. I know Paris will hold a special place in all of us. 🥂Here's to Milan 2026 LA 2028 and thank you Paris 2024 may we have an amazing closing ceremony 🥂

Now on to what everyone is wondering, will the faceless parkour phantom make a reappearance 👀

[blairamok]

crowley is at the top of the world having just brought home Olympic gold and defending his world title in one breath, but crowley also trips over himself while practicing step sequences because he catches aziraphale in an ina bauer out of the corner of his eye and thinks about his butt too hard