Alison Levine of Canada, who always wears her lucky red Maple Leaf shoes, is giving gender equality in sports new meaning.
The Boccia International Sports Federation ranked Levine No. 1 in the BC4 category in October, making her the first woman to do so.
She feels especially burdened entering Tokyo as a woman wanting to be a trailblazer.
It almost feels like a responsibility to promote that point so that any ladies watching might think, "If she can do it, I can too."
This message is especially crucial for young girls who may not consider sports, says Levine.
“Growing up as girls, we are often intimidated to try sports because there are big guys on the court and women are put down and told they are not good enough.”
She says, “I am able to be proof and tell people look it doesn’t matter – especially in a sport like boccia – that is mixed – put me against a guy – put me against a girl – I am going to beat you [laughs].
Levine is excited to play Brazil in Tokyo, a “loud and like to cheer” team like her Canadian team. She coyly calls a squad that speaks English and hops, skips, and jumps over a pond from Canada one of her biggest opponents, later referring to Great Britain.