Megan Rapinoe caused a sensation in 2019 for her performance in the 2019 Women's World Cup in France, in which the United States team became champion and she was chosen as the best player of the tournament and also of the season. However, her role went beyond the field and she used her prominence to speak up for women's rights.
The North American country made headlines on Friday, June 24, as the Supreme Court removed federal protection of the right to abortion, allowing each state to choose whether or not to restrict it. Several figures in American sports expressed their outrage at this decision, including the 2019 Ballon d'Or winner.
Megan Rapinoe is married to professional basketball player Sue Bird. Photo: AFP
Rapinoe, who is one of the American leaders regarding the rights of LGBTQ+ people, gave a press conference prior to the friendly match with Colombia in which she spoke out about the abortion ruling. The 36-year-old forward indicated that this represents a setback for women around the world.
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"We know that banning abortion does not prevent abortions, it only prevents safe abortions... I can't describe the sadness and cruelty of this, I think cruelty is the key point, because this is not about being pro-life," said the partner of Sue Bird, an icon of women's basketball in the United States.
"We know that this will disproportionately affect poor women, African American women, immigrants, women in violent relationships, women who have been raped, women and girls who have been raped by members of their own families, or who maybe just haven't made the best decisions," emphasized Megan Rapinoe.
"We live in a country that always tries to take away what you have inherently, what you have had the privilege of feeling your whole life," lamented the OL Reign player from Seattle.