Lindsey Vonn Shares How the Movie Based on Billie Jean King Can Pave the Way for More Films About Women’s Sports

Lindsey Vonn retired in 2019 after establishing herself as one of the most dominant women’s alpine skiers. Her incredible grit and determination put her on the slopes through injury and pain. And only when her knees could no longer support her on the skis did she call it quits.

She put out a memoir called ‘Rise’ to narrate her incredible feats of athleticism and what it is like to be a woman in sports. Always an overachiever, she has strived to push the sport beyond boundaries and inspired thousands.

Lindsey Vonn on films centered on women athletes

The 2022 ESPY Awards celebrated the 50th anniversary of Title IX on Wednesday. Title IX is a federal civil rights law that bans sex discrimination in any education program or activity that receives federal funds. 

It plays a vital role in pushing equality in sport, and Lindsey Vonn expressed her pride and joy. A reporter from Extra TV asked her which athlete she would like to watch a movie about, barring her, of course. But she did not respond with a singular name. Vonn was looking at a bigger picture.

“I mean, Billie Jean King kind of had a movie. But I want to see more of a women’s rights movie, encompassing multiple generations,” she answered. “Not just one person, but over time how women have really changed the game.”

The movie that Vonn was referring to is the 2017 film ‘Battle of the Sexes’ starring Emma Stone and Steve Carell. The plot is loosely based on the 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. King won the game in three sets, and the televised match is considered a milestone in public acceptance of women’s tennis.

READ MORE: “Started When I Had My First Big Knee Surgery”: Lindsey Vonn Makes a Heartbreaking Confession on Her Health Issues

Women’s representation in sports

There is no doubt that women have excelled and dominated in sports. They have gained international fame as the greatest athletes of all time. Lindsey Vonn, with 84 World Cup wins, just four wins shy of the world record set by Ingemar Stenmark is one of them. 

Also on the list are names like gymnastics GOAT Simone Biles, tennis legend Serena Williams, and swimming sensation Katie Ledecky, among many others. But Hollywood’s obsession with sports stories has mostly centered itself around men.

Where it has produced some groundbreaking marvels, women haven’t gotten the chance to share that spotlight. Lindsey Vonn’s dream to watch a movie that focuses on women’s feats of athleticism is a dream for many. Perhaps we will see the inspiring story of Vonn herself on the silver screen?

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