U. S. Women's Teams: Thank Tiltle IX

CNBC posted a report comparing the U.S. women's success to that of the men.  The American women have dominated swimming, track, and gymnastics.  In addition, the team sport like soccer and water polo have gold in hand with volleyball and basketball likely to win this weekend. 

Even though the American men have had great success, they compete against a huge number of highly trained athletes from all over the world. Dominating all these sports is very difficult.  Conversely, I think the shear numbers of women in America competing at the highest levels dwarfs those from most countries outside of China. In addition, the coaching and training these women receive at all levels develops great athletes and teams.

The few breakout stars from these sports like Gabriel Douglas will make millions.  These riches are a strong incentive for any woman to put in the Herculean effort needed to win at the Olympics. However, most of the women participating in these sports at a young age will never attain world class status.  Another reward must exist for the athlete and her family to go through the training, the travel, the stress on the family.  Surely the love of playing soccer for a 14 year old does not warrant the hectic travel schedule that most familes must endure.

Title IX and the college scholarships it requires provides that incentive.  All the sports mentioned above have culled players off the college rosters.  Even the 12 year old gymnasts realize that a scholarship to UCLA  and an NCAA championship will be well worth the effort.  While many foreign born women fill the rosters of college teams most are still Americans, and our Olympic teams have truly benefited.  I think this is why American women have dominated in the past 40 years.