Long before the U.S. women's soccer team filed a federal complaint over wage discrimination, the Australian women fought for better pay.
And won.
The Matildas, as they are known, will be among the 12 women's soccer teams playing in Brazil next week when the Olympics get underway. Their strike following a successful run in last summer's Women's World Cup in Canada was significant as female athletes across sports fight for recognition and respect — including their American counterparts.
"In terms of being trailblazers, I'm not really sure. I think we just sort of went about it how we thought was necessary," Australian defender Steph Catley said.