NEW YORK (AP) – The Canyon of Heroes, a stretch of Broadway where the nation’s largest city has honored its legends, will come to life on Friday for the Women’s World Cup winners.
When the U.S. women’s soccer team ride floats through the swirling ticker tape to a ceremony at City Hall, they will be the first national team since 1984 and the first women’s team ever to be honored with the iconic parade.
For more than a century, tens of thousands of New Yorkers and visitors have made the pilgrimage to Lower Manhattan to honor world leaders like Nelson Mandela, heroes like Neil Armstrong and athletes like gold medal winner Jesse Owens. But since 1999, the honor has been bestowed solely on local championship-winning teams like the Yankees and Giants, meaning Friday’s parade will be a break with precedent.
“It’s going to be magical,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday. “The Canyon of Heroes is one of the great New York traditions.”
“The magnitude of the U.S. victory, what it means not just for women’s soccer, but (as) a statement it was to the world to the growing powerful role of women in this country,” said de Blasio. “It was crucial for New York City to honor this extraordinary team.”