U.S. Olympic and Paralympic family salutes 40-year anniversary of Title IX

This Saturday (June 23), the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic family celebrates an important milestone in U.S. sporting history - the 40-year anniversary of Title IX - which has increased sport opportunities for millions of females across the United States, including some of the world's most beloved and famous sport heroes.

Passed into law as part of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title IX prohibits sex discrimination in education and has helped break down barriers in sports for girls and women. The 40th anniversary of the momentous legislation appropriately falls on Olympic Day, which commemorates the birth of the modern Olympic Movement.

"As a sport organization, we are incredibly proud of the accomplishments of female athletes the world over and applaud the dedication of the forerunners of the women's sports movement that made Title IX possible," said USOC CEO Scott Blackmun. "In large part, Title IX has given female athletes a platform to inspire us all, and we are proud that the United States has been and continues to be a leader and proponent for equality in sports."

This milestone is particularly relevant in 2012, as this summer's London Olympic Games will be the first gender-equal Olympic Games in history with the addition of women's boxing.

Statements from key U.S. Olympic and Paralympic leaders:

Anita DeFrantz - USOC board member, two-time Olympic rower, International Olympic Committee member, chair of the IOC Women and Sport Commission and president of the LA84 Foundation

"Title IX affirms that sports belong to all of us and are a part of our very nature as human beings. The legislation revolutionized women's athletics and has had a profound and immeasurable effect on the sports landscape in the United States. The U.S. Olympic Team headed to London is expected to include more females than males for the first time ever, and we will watch women compete in every single Olympic sport for the first time. Seeing the impact of Title IX gives us all great reason to celebrate its 40th anniversary."

Teresa Edwards - Chef de mission for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team, five-time Olympic basketball medalist, former WNBA player and coach

"The journey that women have taken and will continue to take is significant and transcends any one individual or sport. My personal journey would likely have been vastly different if it weren't for Title IX. Olympic dreams have been realized by many girls and women - myself included - due to the opportunities that the landmark legislation created. Now, we have to keep working hard, having fun and making sure that the opportunities exist for years to come."

Aimee Mullins - Chef de mission for the 2012 U.S. Paralympic Team, Paralympian, former president and current trustee of the Women's Sports Foundation

"Title IX is among the most important and impactful civil rights legislation ever written for Americans. Not only does it protect students in every aspect of the educational system, its particular application to sports has provided millions of girls and women the opportunity to reveal their true potential on the playing field, which is why we have more female doctors, lawyers, scientists, engineers and professional athletes in the U.S. than ever before. Title IX also set a precedent that athletes with all body types and abilities can ensure their rightful access to sports and physical activity in their schools. All of us owe a great debt to Title IX."

Angela Ruggiero - USOC board member, four-time Olympic ice hockey medalist, IOC member, president-elect of the Women's Sports Foundation and the first female non-goalie to play professional men's hockey in North America

"I believe sport is a vehicle to get an education, better your self-esteem, understand your body and learn to work in a group. Competing in the Olympic Games and attending Harvard, along with everything I'm currently involved in, are a direct result of having the opportunity to get involved in sport at a young age. I join countless females around the country in having greatly benefited from Title IX."

As a service to our readers, Around the Rings will provide verbatim texts of selected press releases issued by Olympic-related organizations, federations, businesses and sponsors.

These press releases appear as sent to Around the Rings and are not edited for spelling, grammar or punctuation.

20 Years at #1: