The U.S. women’s rugby sevens team shocked the world by defeating Australia Tuesday with a last-second score to secure a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. The good news continued when Michele Kang, owner of the National Women’s Soccer League’s Washington Spirit, announced a $4 million donation to help the team prepare for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Kang said she’ll donate $1 million each year through 2028 to provide additional resources for coaches and players.
“I am so happy to support these outstanding athletes to realize their dream in capturing the gold in Los Angeles in 2028. That work starts now,” said Kang, who owns multiple women’s soccer teams. “As corporate sponsors and broadcast networks increasingly see the value and enthusiasm for women’s sports, now is the moment to unlock the full potential of these incredible female athletes and inspire generations to come.”
American rugby players like Ilona Maher and Alex Sedrick became social media sensations at the Paris Games. The lipstick-wearing Maher now boasts more than 2 million followers on TikTok as fans flocked to the niche event.
“It was important for me to show I am funny but I’m also the real deal and I am also a very good rugby player,” Maher said of her social media presence. “And so it was important for me to show that you can be anything. You can be beast, beauty, brains.”
USA rugby officials said they were “stunned” by Kang’s unexpected donation.
“This will allow us to supercharge the progression of this program as we build to climb the podium in 2028 with gold medal aspirations in Los Angeles,” said Bill Goren, CEO of USA Rugby. “This increase in support will ensure we can deploy the resources to the right places to win when it matters the most, inspiring a nation of rugby players and solidifying our place on the world stage.”
— This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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