As Olympics loom, surfer Stephanie Gilmore grabs a bigger prize

If Australia’s Stephanie Gilmore wins the gold medal when surfing makes its Olympic debut two years from now, it might not be her most meaningful victory.

Gilmore, who is mentioned as possibly the greatest athlete of all time in her sport, takes pride in being on the ground floor in the fight for a prize that could have a longer-lasting impact: equal pay for women on the professional tour, on which she and her rivals make their living.

The World Surf League put itself in rare company this year with its decision to begin paying women the same as men, starting in 2019. Although the majors and a few other tennis tournaments have committed to paying women and men equal prize money, the WSL is the first U.S.