Athletes for Freedom Foundation

Spain forward Nico Williams has made it clear that fighting racism is not just a challenge for the world of soccer but a deeply personal mission. The Athletic Bilbao star, along with Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr., has been at the center of multiple incidents of racial abuse in Spanish soccer, sparking renewed calls for action. Williams, who experienced racial abuse firsthand during a match against Atletico Madrid last season, saw the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) respond by partially closing Atletico's south stand for two matches. But for Williams, this is just the beginning of a much larger battle. "My brother Inaki and I, as Black men, have a critical responsibility in this life: to fight against racism," Williams told Spanish newspaper El Mundo. "This is my number one goal. As a public figure, I have a duty to contribute to that fight, and I must stay ...

Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich delivered a breathtaking performance in Chicago on Sunday, smashing the women’s marathon world record with a time of 2:09:56, nearly two minutes faster than the previous best. Her incredible feat marked her third Chicago Marathon victory and shattered the record set by Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa (2:11:53) just last year in Berlin. Chepngetich pulled ahead early, leaving her competition far behind by the halfway point. She crossed the finish line to deafening cheers, showcasing her dominance as she rewrote marathon history. Ethiopia’s Sutume Kebede finished in second place, trailing by a staggering 7 minutes and 36 seconds, with Kenya's Irine Cheptai securing third at 2:17:51. "This is my dream come true," Chepngetich said after the race. While her time was initially recorded as 2:09:57, it was later officially adjusted by a ...

Tennis legend Billie Jean King’s work isn’t finished yet. This week, as she celebrates 50 years of championing female athletes through the Women's Sports Foundation (WSF), she reflects on the impact her organization has had since its founding. Launched a year after King’s famous "Battle of the Sexes" victory against Bobby Riggs, WSF has turned a modest $5,000 investment into over $100 million to support women’s and girls’ sports. "When you're reading history, it seems to fly by. But when you're living it, it's slow and tough," said King, 80. "It takes patience, persistence, and passion to achieve your goals. If you don't have those, you won't make it." King, a 12-time Grand Slam winner, became the first individual female athlete to receive the Congressional Gold Medal last month in honor of her relentless fight for equal ...