Photos by: : Luiz Rampelotto/EuropaNewswire
The U.S women`s World Cup champions experienced a rare and historic moment in life. As legendaries for female athletes, the women were saluted with a ticker tape parade on Friday. These women champions were awarded the same honor that the New York Giants acquired following the Super Bowl victories. This memorable event took place in the city of New York at exactly the same location where the New York Yankees were awarded after achieving several series titles. President Barack Obama expressed his happiness by contacting the team via a phone call. The president also expressed joy as this historic moment would forever inspire young girls all around the world.
The women`s team were given a parade on Friday, July 10. Megan Rapinoe, the midfielder, held the trophy as thousands of fans cheered with joy. The team members later engaged in a photo session with their fans. Such an occasion was last seen about 32 years ago. Carli Lioyd, the U.S. midfielder took a picture with the trophy during the parade as the fans cheered on. Mayor Blasio saluted the players once they arrived at the city hall. Andrew Cuomo, New York Governor, was also present during the event. All the 23 members of the team showed up hand in hand to celebrate this great honor. This trophy had not been in the hands of the U.S. for 16 years.
The event marked the first non-Yankee and non-Giant parade since 1998. These women champions won the victory on a calm July morning where millions of fans were viewing the game from their televisions. The champions were bestowed with the rare ticker tape parade. The ticker tape parade was incredible since this had only been done to cheer up soldiers, giants, kings, Yankees, and astronauts. Thousands of people showed up to cheer these champions who had brought pride to their nation. The event was heavily funded via private donations. The city also took part in sponsoring the event. Reports show that the private donations amounted to $450,000 with the rest $2 million coming from the big city.
Photos by: : Luiz Rampelotto/EuropaNewswire
The U.S. team struggled all along the matches and defeated several world legends including Japan and Germany. Samantha Routsi, a 20-year old spectator from Buffalo, added that these women had determination since the win was not an easy task. Having defeated the legends of all time, Japan, these women proved to the world that they were indeed deserving champions. The victory has helped in improving the pride of the country. Samantha Routsi says that she feels proud, and she is so happy to witness this historic moment.
A report released by the New York Times revealed that the idea for the ticker tape parade was raised by Howard Wolfson. Howard Wolfson, an aide to Michael Bloomberg former mayor, gave the idea to de Blasio via a phone call during the World Cup finals in Vancouver. A report released from the Mayor`s office stated that there had been no other ticker tape parade for any women`s sports in the history of New York. The parade was announced earlier this week by Bill de Blasio the New York Mayor. The Manhattan borough President Gale Brewer involved the New Yorkers on Monday when she circulated a letter that she had sent to the Mayor.
Photos by: : Luiz Rampelotto/EuropaNewswire
Gale Brewer, made comments concerning the tremendous event that was going down. She said that this was an opportunity to recognize the fact that role models and heroes came in all genders. She further added that though New York honored sports achievements along the Canyon of Heroes, they had never honored a women`s team before. Chirlane McCray the New York first lady also tweeted about the ticker tape parade to mark the celebration. The last women athlete parade at the Canyon of Heroes was held in 1984 when the two gold medalists, Cheryl Miller, and Mary Lou Retton, joined their fellow medal winners.
The former U.S. soccer defender, Greg Lalas, said that this was not only a huge moment for the women`s soccer but also for the soccer in general. The editor-in-chief of the MLSoccer.com, Greg Lalas, further added how great an achievement this was as the men’s soccer team had not achieved this dream. As he talked to the CNN, he said that he was inspired by the women`s team because they brought pride to the whole soccer family in general. The team was carried by Battery Park and taken to the City Hall by floats. There was a crowd at the City Hall awaiting the team for a prepared mass rally where del Blasio congratulated the team members for their victory.
Source: EuropaNewswire