Athletes Gather on Capitol Hill to Celebrate Women in Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Olympians and leaders in the sports community will help celebrate the 30th annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day.

They'll gather for a panel discussion Wednesday on Capitol Hill in Washington to discuss athletic opportunities. Olympic gold medalists Angela Hucles, Benita Fitzgerald Mosely and Jessica Long are among the panelists.

The sports day theme "Leading the Way" emphasizes that sports help girls develop leadership skills to excel in school, at home and in their communities.

Hucles is a two-time Olympic soccer and World Cup medalist and president of the Women's Sports Foundation. She acknowledges progress and the need for compliance with Title IX and access to sports.

The first NGWSD began in 1987 to honor Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman, who died of a heart ailment.