Women in sports: Serena Williams, Danica Patrick, and more icons - Los Angeles Times
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Michelle Kwan at her family's ice rink
Michelle Kwan at her family’s ice rink in Artesia.
(Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
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Michelle Kwan, Billie Jean King, Serena Williams, Megan Rapinoe and more. These women have done more than just excel. They’ve opened doors for the generations after them.

Longevity, excellence, perseverance in the face of crushing defeats — why we love Michelle Kwan

The two-time Olympic medalist serves as an inspiration to Alysa Liu and the next generation of figure skaters.

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Portrait of Ibtihaj Muhammad
Ibtihaj Muhammad at Disney Hall in Los Angeles.
(Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

Ibtihaj Muhammad is still trying to conquer the impossible

The moment that Ibtihaj Muhammad qualified to represent the U.S. in fencing at the 2016 Summer Olympics, her thoughts turned to something beyond sport.

*******DO NOT USE***** FOR WOMENS SPECIAL SECTION RUNNING MARCH 8********RANCHO SANTA FE-CA-NOVEMBER 24, 2019: Julie Krone is photographed at Masterpiece Farms in Rancho Santa Fe on Sunday, November 24, 2019. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

Julie Krone missed the sport she once dominated. Junior jockey camp was the solution

*******DO NOT USE***** FOR WOMENS SPECIAL SECTION RUNNING MARCH 8********NEWHALL-CA-SEPTEMBER 5, 2019: Kim Rhode is photographed at Oak Tree Gun Club in Newhall on Thursday, September 5, 2019. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

Kim Rhode has won medals in six straight Olympics and isn’t close to slowing down

Twenty four years after Kim Rhode first stood on an Olympic podium, the world is still paying attention. And she has her sights set on competing in her hometown Games when L.A. hosts in 2028.

For Jessica Mendoza, it’s all about challenging convention — each and every day

Mendoza, a two-time Olympic medalist in softball and an ESPN baseball analyst, is the first woman to work regularly in the TV booth on coverage of a major U.S. men’s pro league.

Jessica Mendoza at ESPN Seaport District Studios in New York.
(Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

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Credits

Photography: Christina House

Photo editing: Sammy Jo Hester, Mary Cooney
Writers: Helene Elliott, Mary McNamara, David Wharton, Nathan Fenno, Kevin Baxter, Tania Ganguli, Jack Harris, Victoria Hernandez, Stephen Battaglio, James F. Peltz
Story editors: Alice Short, Mike Hiserman, Kelli Sullivan
Copy editors: Tim Trepany, Evita Timmons, Andre Vergara, Fernando Dominguez, P.K. Daniel, Steve Horn, Nick Leyva, Matt Tustison, Curtis Zupke, Jim Buzinski
Video production: Nani Sahra Walker, Claire Collins
Video thumbnails: Allison Hong
Interactive timeline: Rahul Mukherjee
Production: Courtney Lewis, Christian Orozco, Lora Victorio
Audience Engagement: Fidel Martinez, Adriana Lacy, Christina Schoellkopf, Louisa Frahm
Research: Michael Darling

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