Nicola Riitano, NEWHD Sports
In anticipation of the Olympic & Paralympic Games Paris 2024, a campaign is underway to spotlight the narratives of five trailblazing athletes worldwide. Among them is Great Britain’s Nicola Adams, who etched her name in history as the inaugural female boxer to claim Olympic gold at the Olympic Games London 2012. Adams’ groundbreaking triumph marked a pivotal moment for women’s sport, catalyzing increased visibility and participation in women’s boxing, a sport that had been prohibited for female professional competition in Great Britain until 1998. Following Adams’ historic win, interest in boxing among women and girls surged across the nation.
“The First Effect” campaign also features Sarah Attar, the first female athlete to represent Saudi Arabia in Olympic athletics; Natalie Du Toit, a South African swimmer who made history as the first amputee swimmer to qualify for the Olympic Games; Abdellatif Baka, an Algerian Paralympian who clinched gold at Rio 2016 and became the first Paralympian to outpace the winning time of the Olympic champion in the same event; and Rose Lokonyen, hailing from South Sudan, who competed at the Olympic Games Rio 2016 as part of the inaugural Refugee Olympic Team.
The initiative also highlights pivotal “firsts” in Olympic history, such as the global live broadcast of the Olympic Games Tokyo 1964 and the inclusion of female athletes at the Olympic Games Paris 1900. Launched to commemorate the 100-day countdown to the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024, “The First Effect” is a collaborative effort between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Deloitte, celebrating the courageous athletes who shattered barriers and achieved unprecedented milestones at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Deloitte, as a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner, pledges to showcase these inspiring stories in the lead-up to Paris 2024 and to honor groundbreaking “firsts” that transpire during the Games. Since joining The Olympic Partner (TOP) program in 2022, Deloitte has forged a “partnership with purpose” with the IOC, leveraging its expertise to support the IOC’s strategic roadmap for the future, Olympic Agenda 2020+5, and its vision of fostering positive change through sport.
Sophia’s Mission and NEWHD Media, initiatives spearheaded by Father Zachary, are dedicated to creating employment opportunities in media and audio fields for individuals with autism, disabilities, the blind, and veterans. Emphasizing inclusivity and empowerment, these efforts highlight the transformative power of acceptance and support in the workplace. Father Zachary’s unique blend of media expertise and commitment to social causes drives the mission’s success. For more information or to get involved, you can visit Sophia’s Mission and NEWHD Media or contact Father Zachary directly via email at fatherz@sophiasmissionus.org.
