New Faces of Nike

While working on my tan and enjoying an ice cold beverage lakeside this past weekend, I came across a Nike ad in my Glamour. I was pretty disappointed with myself that I only recognized one of these female athletes (Maria Sharapova, second from the right) being such a sports-loving girl. Out of curiosity, I googled the ad and learned some more about not only these lovely ladies, but more about the Nike campaign. 

photo via Outside the Match

From left to right

Australian surfer Laura Enever, British hurdler Perri Shakes-Drayton, US soccer goalie Hope Solo, Chinese tennis star Li Na, Algerian dancer Sofia Boutella, Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova, US track and field sprinter Allyson Felix

The Nike "Make Yourself" ads are in place to promote a healthy lifestyle for females and to help "become the best version of yourself".  The ads will be featured in Glamour, InStyle and Seventeen. 

Check out this video of the featured female athletes...

If those bodies don't make us motivated to hit the gym, I don't know what will. These girls definitely know how to represent for the female athletes. 

Cosmo Clue:

The Nike "Make Yourself" campaign is currently launched to help improve the physical and mental well-being of women.

Find more about the ad, athletes and to see clothing, click here.

World Cup

Soccer is a sport that everyone loves. Most of us played it growing up and most of us are too out of shape to keep up in a game today, yet it still holds a special place in our hearts. Even if you weren't a soccer diehard growing up, we can all appreciate the babe factor that soccer players posses (hello, David Beckham). 

Another sweet factor when it comes to soccer? The studly players don't only come in the male genre. Girls definitely rep soccer just as well as the boys do, and the FIFA Women's World Cup kicked off this weekend. 16 teams around the world qualify for the World Cup, with Germany as the event's host this year.

photo via FIFA

 Straight out of the US of A, our national team is ranked first coming into the competition, and we've got some major talent on the field. 

From 21-year-old Cal alum, Alex Morgan,

 photo via ESPN Soccer

to veteran player Kristine Lilly,

  

photo via Elmhurst Soccer 

the American girls are hoping to come out champs.

Support your fellow females by catching these two and the rest of the national team in their first game vs. Korea on Tuesday. Soccer-themed dinner party anyone?

USA, USA, USA!

Cosmo Clue:

The Women's World Cup started Sunday, July 26th.

Everything FIFA World Cup right here.

Girls Rule, Boys Drool

I was at brunch this past weekend, with a group of friends, male & female. Amid the muffins & mimosas, one of my male friends blurted a comment that made me want to completely bitch slap him. It was something along the lines of "Girls can't play the sports that require skill, like guys can."(I won't name any names, but lets hope he's reading this and feels like a major ass wad).

Even though most of the sports we watch on T.V. are dominated by guys, there are still tons of athletes who represent for the ladies. These female athletes not only hold their own when it comes to their sport, they look marvelous doing so. 

CHEERS TO THE GIRLS!

Williams Sisters

photo via Reidblog

These tennis star sisters have been in the spotlight for a long time now and have a past of sibling rivalry. Both were coached by their dad growing up and have been ranked at #1 in the world. Venus is currently ranked number 5 in singles & doubles, while Serena is ranked number 4 in singles and 5 in doubles (which her sis). 

Jennie Finch

photo via NewsAlerts

This softball stunner graduated from the University of Arizona and went on to help the USA receive gold & silver metals in her sport. She married a fellow pitcher in 2005, after he proposed on the softball field of her Alma mater.  The couple have a 4 year old son, named Ace. She's recently retired from softball to focus on her family. How precious!

Mia Hamm

photo via netreach

This phenomenal soccer alum stole the hearts of America throughout the 1990's and early 2000's. She topped the FIFA's World Player of the Year list more than once and also helped her team to gold in the 2004 Olympics. She divorced her college sweetheart in 2001, but then married a former MLB star, Nomar Garciaparra. This power couple have twin girls named Grace & Ava.

Gabrielle Reece

photo via celebritybeautybuzz

Reece is a 40 year old professional volleyball player, model, actress and announcer. She has been at the top of numerous volleyball stats and won the Beach Volleyball World Championship.  She married professional surfer, Laird Hamiltion in 1997. Though its been a rocky relationship, with a divorce & reconciliation in 2001, the stable couple now live in Hawaii and Malibu. They have two kids together, Reece & Brody.

Dara Torres

photo via khanworldsports

This swimming sensation is a single mother, who has been to the Olympics FIVE TIMES and taken home 12 metals! This 41 year old divorcee, is the oldest swimmer to earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic team. Torres has been married twice and is now a single lady! She is currently training for the 2012 Olympics, which will be held in London.

Danica Patrick

photo via danicapatrick.com

This brave beauty was the first female to win an Indy car race and didn't stop there! Danica is currently racing for Andretti Autosport and is a model/actress/spokeswoman/babe on the side. She is married to her previous physical therapist and the couple lives in Arizona (where she recently received two speeding tickets.... whoopies!).

Lisa Leslie

photo via WNBA

This beautiful baller hovers at 6'5 and is retired from the WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association). Lisa was the first female to dunk in a WNBA game and has also won 4 U.S. gold metals. This USC alum is married with two kids, Lauren & Michael. Thanks to ladies like Lisa, professional sports are not only for the boys!

Shawn Johnson

photo via gymblog

This little cutie is not only known for her stint on Dancing with the Stars, but she is also Olympic gymnast. Shawn is an 18 year old, only child, who started gymnastics at age 3. Though she's had some recent struggles with a hurt knee, she's on track to compete in the 2012 Summer Olympics. 

Tanya Harding 

photo via ExtraTV

SIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!