March 8, 2006 — While Canadians have been celebrating International Women’s Week since March 5, (until March 11), today marks the day of global partying for women – International Women’s Day. Established by the United Nations in 1977 to celebrate women and their achievements, and to focus attention on resolving equality issues, Women’s Day is a fantastic opportunity to think about our favourite female athletes.

From Lyne Bessette’s cycling universality, to Clara Hughes’s cycling-skating victories, to Tanya Dubnicoff’s groundbreaking track performances turned coaching, to Alison Sydor’s staying power in mountain biking, Canadian women have always been a force to be reckoned with. Below are some choice sites which celebrate women in sport — ask nothing in return than the time it takes to read, be proud, and think about how far women in sport have come. ENJOY!

Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport
www.caaws.ca
A Non-Profit Organization that offers bursaries, news, and awards to sporting women, regardless of athletic discipline.

UCI 2006 Women’s Road World Cup Homepage
www.uci.ch/modello.asp?1stLevelID=AB&level1=0&level2=0&idnews=3926
The official Union Cyclist Internationale website for the Women’s Road World Cup

Yoplait Women’s Prestige Cycling Series
www.womencyclists.com/
The Premier Series for North-American female cyclists — stay tuned for estrogen-powered racing results.

Women-specific Cycling News Page
www.ladiescycling.net
Keep track of news in women’s cycling — almost as good as pedalmag.com!!!

Turin Olympic Coverage – Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun Article
Inspirational females leading the way with 14 of Canada’s 19 Olympic medals
www.caaws.ca/e/article.cfm?id=826
A great article which sums up Canadian Female Olympians’s record medal haul at Turin

CAAWS’s Most Influential Women in Sport Webpage
www.caaws.ca/influentialwomen/e/
Take some time to get to know the movers and shakers that have changed the face of sport — literally.