No major 2024 tournament for Lionesses – but Emma Raducanu can spearhead upwards trajectory for women’s sport in UK

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Published: 10:00, 14 Jan 2024

England's Lionesses might not be playing at a major tournament this year, but the 2024 calendar is packed full of action that will ensure the exponential growth of women's sports continues.

The Lionesses continued to dominate headlines in 2023, making it to an historic first ever World Cup final, before their painful defeat to Spain.

The Lionesses revolutionized women's sport - and the journey is just beginning

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The Lionesses revolutionized women's sport - and the journey is just beginningCredit: Getty

They then experienced an equally painful Nations League campaign which means they will not feature at this year's Olympics, leaving them without a major tournament in 2024.

However, as women's sport continues to benefit from the 'Lionesses effect' which catapulted them to great prominence following their Euro 2022 victory, here are some of the 2024 highlights that will ensure women's sport continues to grow, year on year.

Australian Open

Britain's Emma Raducanu has returned to action after eight months out which saw her recovering from ankle and wrist operations.

The youngster has dropped to a world ranking of 299th in her absence, but says she is 'feeling good' ahead of the 2024 Australian Open.

Raducanu shot to fame when she won the US Open in 2021, becoming the first qualifier to do so.

Since her success, she has struggled to regain momentum - but this could well be the year she returns to her best.

Speaking to the media ahead of her opener at the Australian Open, she said: "I feel a lot lighter than I did for a long time after the US Open. I feel like I'm not playing with a backpack of rocks."

Raducanu is ready to get back in action at the Australian Open

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Raducanu is ready to get back in action at the Australian OpenCredit: Getty

Raducanu was just 18-years-old when she won the US Open

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Raducanu was just 18-years-old when she won the US OpenCredit: GETTY

And the 21-year-old sounded confident that she would soon reach the dazzling heights that saw her burst onto the scene.

She added: "I think my level, to be honest, is just too good not to come through if I put consistent work together."

The Red Roses

England's Red Roses are the favourites heading into the Six Nations this year as they look to win a fifth consecutive title.

They are now under the leadership of head coach John Mitchell who has previously worked with men's sides including Wasps, Sale Sharks and the USA.

And the 59-year-old has high hopes for the team.

He told the BBC in December: "This team is very good, but it can become phenomenal."

"I needed a job to drive me and get excited. I like winning. This team has an amazing legacy of winning.

England have not won the World Cup since 2014, when they beat Canada in the final

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England have not won the World Cup since 2014, when they beat Canada in the finalCredit: Getty

"How can I sustain the gap because all the other programmes are going to get better? That's what really gets me up in the morning."

England saw an impressive 30-game winning streak ended by New Zealand in the 2022 World Cup final, and will be looking to rebuild their dominance before next year's home World Cup.

They have not won the World Cup since 2014 - but the home advantage could prove the missing factor which will bring them back to glory.

T20 Cricket World Cup

England's cricketers will be looking to do what they have not done since 2009 if they are to emerge victorious in this year's T20 Women's World Cup in Bangladesh.

To do so, they must overcome six-time champions, Australia as well as fighting off the likes of the West Indies and New Zealand.

Their 2023 ODI World Cup campaign did not go to plan as they fell to eventual runners-up South Africa in the semi-finals.

But England can take confidence from the fact that they recorded victory in their recent T20 series over India, as well as defeating Australia in the T20 section of the 2023 Ashes.

England Women recorded their best result in three years in the 2023 Ashes

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England Women recorded their best result in three years in the 2023 AshesCredit: Getty

Paris 2024 Olympics 

The Paris 2024 Olympics will be the first ever edition of the Games where there will be the same number of male and female athletes competing.

Of the 10,500 athletes set to compete, exactly half will be female.

At the last Olympic Games in 2021 in Tokyo, 48.7% of athletes were women and now the final step to complete equality has been taken.

It has been a long-time goal of the International Olympic Committee and is the culmination of decades worth of work.

Marie Sallois is the Director of Strategic and Corporate Development at the International Olympic Committee, a role which put her in charge of gender equality.

She told talkSPORT why equal gender participation amongst athletes was so crucial.

She said: "If we have 50% women participating in the games, we create not only role models in sport, but beyond sports.

KJT defied the odds to win gold in the Heptathlon in Budapest

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KJT defied the odds to win gold in the Heptathlon in BudapestCredit: Getty

19-year-old Spendolini-Sirieux won two gold medals at the 2022 Commonwealth Games

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19-year-old Spendolini-Sirieux won two gold medals at the 2022 Commonwealth GamesCredit: Getty

"We reach billions of people that in different capacities will be inspired to join sport, but also to take on responsibilities in different fields."

And Team GB's female athletes will be looking to showcase their talents across an array of sports when the Games begin on July 26.

Watch out for double Athletics World Champion winner Katarina Johnson-Thompson, diver Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix and gymnastic twins Jessica and Jennifer Gadirova who are just some of Team GB's medal hopes.

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