The Athens 2004 Olympics showcased talents that no one imagined. Athletes from all over the world overcame odds to win. Every win was significant; none more so than the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team.

The Athens Olympics signified a change. A change that many fans knew was coming, but weren’t sure if ‘new class’ of U.S. Women’s soccer players were ready for. They showed them that they were ready to take the torch being passed on to them by the Fab Five. Who are the Fab Five? Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Julie Foudy, Joy Fawcett and Kristine Lilly. They are the five women that propelled Women’s soccer in the states to where it is. You can’t think of Women’s Soccer without thinking Brandi Chastain (who could forgot her sports bra cover of Sports Illustrated) or Julie Foudy. You can’t think of great women athletes without mentioning Mia Hamm.

The Fab Five won their first major competition in 1991 at the Women’s First World Cup. They also won the first Olympic competition in 1996 and the biggest women’s sporting event in history—the Women’s World Cup in 1999.

Now, in 2004, these five women were all over 30, probably playing their last 90 minutes together. Joining these remarkable five women were some remarkable girls. Girls, who had become women, watching the Fab Five play.

19-year-old Heather O’Reilly punched in a game-winning goal from a cross from Hamm. That goal against Germany sent the U.S. to the gold medal round. Funny how dreams do come true? Years earlier, O’Reilly has a poster of Hamm in her room. Hamm had won her first championship with O’Reilly was 6 and now O’Reilly was able to give something back to her childhood hero. That goal gave Hamm and four other ladies a chance for their last win together.

All the younger women of the U.S. national team know that if it wasn’t for the Fabulous Five, none of them would be here. Most of the younger girls are closer ton the age of children of the Fab Five, yet this group of women, both young and old, not only bonded, but also came together to give the Fab Five a fitting farewell. A gold medal win.

Watching Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Julie Foudy, Joy Fawcett and Kristine Lilly during the gold medal ceremony, one had to wonder, were those tears of joy or tears of sadness. Saying goodbye to a competitive sport that has been apart of their lives longer than some of their teammates have been alive. Saying goodbye to a sport that owes them many thanks.

Fans around the country and even around the world weren’t ready to say good bye to the Fab Five, but players like O’Reilly, Abby Wambach, Heather Mitts, Aly Wagner, Cat Reddick and not to mention the other women that play for the National team have brought many concerns to ease. It’s not an end of an era, but a continuation of one that was started by Five Fabulous Women who made a team famous not only here in the U.S but around the World.


- Sahar Milani, Associate Editor