Olympic moguls champion Heil encourages girls to become involved in sport

Last Thursday was the first United Nations International Day of the Girl, but for people like Olympic moguls champion Jennifer Heil it was difficult to celebrate.

In Pakistan, 14-year-old Malala Yousufzai lay in a hospital bed critically wounded after being shot by the Taliban for the crime of promoting education for girls. Closer to home, 15-year-old Amanda Todd of Port Coquitlam, B.C., died of an apparent suicide after being the victim of bullying.

Two gut-wrenching events with the suffering of a young woman the common thread.

"These events, they are very tragic and very touching,'' a subdued Heil said in an interview.

"The reaction in Canada toward the young girl (in B.C.) and the reaction around the world toward Malala in Pakistan speak to how horrific these things are . . . and further emphasize the need to have days like International Day of the Girl (to) raise awareness of what the challenges are for many girls around the world because they are young and female.''

Creating a world where young women have the same opportunities as boys is important to Heil. She's involved with Because I am a Girl, an international campaign directed at improving the lives of girls in some of the world's most under-developed countries. Heil has travelled to Rwanda and West Africa where she saw young girls being denied the chance to attend school because their families couldn't afford the cost.

Heil is also involved with B2ten, a group created by several Canadian businessmen who help Olympic athletes. B2ten also has a program to increase the number of kids involved in sport.

Heil sees a connection between young girls being given a chance to play sports and improving gender equality around the world. The history of women in sport is one of the topics the 29-year-old is studying at McGill University in Montreal.

"We know girls are only half as likely to be involved in sport,'' said Heil, who won a gold medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin and silver at the 2010 Games in Vancouver.

"There are a number of reasons why. One of them is the impression being sporty and sweating and having muscles is not feminine. It's against all those images young girls see in the media.''

Not everyone who participates in sports will become an Olympic champion. But anyone can enjoy the benefits of physical activity.

"Physical activity is a critical part of raising a complete person,'' said Heil. "There are endless benefits from social skills, mental health, (improving) cognitive skills, the ability to succeed in school. Sports has a critical role in the development of self-estimate and self-confidence.''

Sport can also play a role in combating bullying.

"It's being on a team, feeling supported by your teammates,'' said Heil. "It's proven social skills like conflict resolution are improved by being involved in sports. There's a sense of belonging to a community, increased friends and social network.''

Despite the evidence some young girls are still being prevented from participating in simple athletic activities. Some are blocked by economic reasons, others battle cultural barriers.

The London Summer Games was the first time all participating nations at an Olympics had female athletes competing. This only happened after Saudi Arabia agreed to send two woman athletes.

At the 1996 Atlanta Games 26 countries did not send women. The 1984 Games in Los Angeles were the first to allow women to run a marathon.

"I look at sport having provide so much for me,'' said Heil. "I couldn't image life without it.''

Heil appreciates how much progress women have made in sport. The events of last week only demonstrates how much more needs to be done to protect young women in society.