Nobody gets shortchanged more than female athletes. Often they are either sexualized or ignored all together; sometimes so underappreciated that sometimes the IOC doesn't let them play, just ask women who ski jump. So, incredibly talented female athletes are forced to look for small victories. One of those was announced Monday as the IOC said it would allow women's hockey to remain an Olympic sport in the 2014 games, according to AOL Fanhouse.

During the 2010 Vancouver Games, IOC president Jacques Rogge questioned whether women's hockey had any appeal outside North America. But, despite finding that South America, Australia and Africa don't play much hockey, Executive Director Gilbert Felli told reporters on a conference call on Monday that "the program commission had a review, but there were no questions (concerning) the sports that were in Vancouver," Felli said.

The United States and Canada, who met in the 2010 gold metal game, have dominated the sport since it was first brought into the Winter Games in 1998. Both countries are making efforts to improve women's hockey throughout the world.

"We are pleased to have confirmed women's hockey inclusion at the Sochi Olympics and look forward to a competition level that will continue to get better across all countries," USA Hockey spokesman Dave Fischer told reporters. "We're fully committed to helping women's hockey around the world."

Matthew Coller is a staff member of the Business of Sports Network, and is a freelance writer. He can be followed on Twitter

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