Megan Rapinoe is one of the biggest names in sport after leading the USA to victory at the Women's Football World Cup this year.
With her outstretched arms celebrating goal after goal, it's fair to say that it will be remembered as her tournament.
People could be fooled by the pink hair and big smile but Rapinoe is no pushover - even refusing US President Donald Trump's invitation to the White House. She's using her platform to lead the fight for equality in sport in terms of racism, gender and sexuality.
At 34 she's by no means new to the game of football, but this summer her star has risen to new heights. "It's a little strange going through most of my career and then at the end of it becoming this player," she says. -- Rapinoe finished the World Cup with six goals and three assists. The striker was awarded the Golden Ball, which goes to the tournament's top player, as well as the Golden Boot.
On racism in football
In September 2019, Rapinoe was named FIFA Player of the Year alongside Lionel Messi. She used her acceptance speech to draw attention to a range of issues, including racism in sport.
"If there's ever an instance of racism, if every single player on the field is not outraged then to me, they're part of the problem," she tells.
Rapinoe doesn't believe that current sanctions for racism are tough enough. "£65,000 is an absolute joke," she says of the fine given to Bulgaria for the racist abuse of England players in their recent Euro 2020 qualifier. -- While she gives "props" to Raheem Sterling for the work he's done to tackle racism, she wants other athletes to be allies too.
On sexuality in sport
Rapinoe came out in 2012. She's since used her platform to highlight issues facing the LGBTQ+ community. There aren't any openly gay players in the professional men's game in the UK, but Rapinoe's message to those who don't feel able to be open about their sexuality is "we see you and we're with you". Her message is a friendly one. She puts her hands together in solidarity and smiles at the camera.
While Rapinoe says it's liberating to come out, she says people should do it in their own time. She gives a big sigh, saying she doesn't know what it's going to take to create this kind of a shift in the men's game. She believes the leagues and the organizations and the teams need to do a much better job of creating that safe environment where players feel they can come out.
On her fight for equal pay
Rapinoe has called for the United States women's team to be paid the same as their male counterparts. She and the US squad are suing their federation over equal pay. It's a message that captured the imagination of fans at the World Cup in France - they could be heard chanting "Equal pay! Equal pay!" -- Her message to other women?
"Don't settle for anything less, go for equal, go for more, don't accept any of these sort of antiquated and BS answers. Especially when it comes to sport there's been such a lack of investment for such a long period of time, so any direct comparison to the men's sports or the men's leagues is just wholly unfair.”
Rapinoe gave a powerful speech at a victory parade in the US after her team's World Cup win, in which encourages other women to "keep fighting".
Source: BBC News website
