female gymnast flinging colourful ribbon. women in the olympics

Nargiz Mammadzada

Once limited to a few events in the early 1900s, women in the Olympics have become a powerful force in redefining athletic achievement. Back then, a handful of competitors graced the Olympic stage, participating in sports deemed “appropriate” for their femininity.

Today, they are not just competitors – they are dominant champions, shattering records and rewriting the narrative of athletic excellence. This evolution is a remarkable testament to gender equality, but the journey has not been without its hurdles. We will delve into the inspiring rise of women in the Olympics, the challenges they still face and the stories of the incredible athletes who paved the way.

The Challenges of Being A Woman

“Women who entered the field as spectators were killed by being thrown from a high hill.”

During the original Olympic Games in ancient times, the races, in which only Greek men could participate, were held naked. Married women could not even watch the games, let alone participate. Despite the general exclusion of women, unmarried women were allowed to attend the Olympic Games. Additionally, the priestess of Demeter, the goddess of fertility, held a special place of honour near the stadium’s altar.

The competitors participating in the games would start training ten months in advance and come to Elius one month before the festivities to train hard with their opponents. They gave wreaths made of olive branches as prizes to the competitors.

The differences that come with being a woman are still an important issue for both developed and developing societies. The reasons for this depend on social and cultural values, but it is also clear that it brings some common problems.

The Olympic Games, a pinnacle of athletic achievement, have long been a platform for showcasing the dedication and talent of the world’s best athletes. However, the journey for women in this global competition has not been without its challenges.

Against all Odds

“I personally do not approve of the participation of women in public competitions.”

Four years after the first Modern Olympic Games was held in Athens, women began participating in the Paris Olympic Games in 1900. Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the French founder of the modern Games who played an important role in developing and spreading world sports, laid the foundations of discrimination against women.

He said: “I personally do not approve of the participation of women in public competitions”. He added: “An Olympiad with females would be impractical, uninteresting, unaesthetic and improper”.

When women started competing 20 years after men in 1924, Coubertin reportedly requested that women be removed from the games at the International Olympic Committee. In 1935, he insisted again that he was against women participating in public competitions, that they should not play sports in society, and that the main role of women in the Olympic games was to take part in rewarding men’s achievements.

The Fight for Equality

In 1900, only 22 women, a mere 2.2 per cent of the total athletes, competed in a handful of sports deemed “appropriate” for women at the time. These were tennis, croquet, sailing and golf. This marked the beginning of a long climb for female athletes to gain recognition and access to the vast Olympic landscape.

The following decades saw a gradual increase in participation, with swimming, athletics and gymnastics joining the roster. Notably, athletes like Alice Milliat, a French swimmer, and Lottie Dod, a British tennis champion, challenged societal norms and paved the way for future generations.

“The goal is to achieve absolute equality in Paris 2024.”

After the 1970s, with the recognition of the role of women in the world, women’s participation in sports competitions and Olympic games increased. Women in the Olympics have come a long way towards gender equality, especially in the last 40 years. The goal is to achieve absolute equality in Paris 2024.

Challenges Remain

Despite the significant progress made, women in the Olympics still face challenges. Media coverage often focuses more on male athletes, overlooking the incredible feats achieved by women. There are also disparities in funding, training facilities and sponsorship opportunities. Cultural barriers in certain countries further restrict women’s participation in sports. The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) push for gender parity in sports leadership positions also needs further acceleration.

Inspiring Stories

Charlotte Cooper

The British athlete was the first female Olympic champion in 1900.

Enriqueta Basilio

She made history as the first female athlete to light the Olympic torch at the Mexican Olympics in 1968.

Larisa Semyonovna Latynina

She won four Olympic medals with the Soviet team and 14 individual medals between 1956 and 1964. With a total of 18 medals, she held the record for the most Olympic medals won by an athlete for 48 years until 2012.

Nino Salukvadze

Nino Salukvadze is an Olympic shooting legend. The first woman to compete in nine straight Games, she started in 1988. She won gold and silver for the Soviet Union that year. In 2008, representing Georgia, she added a bronze to her impressive medal haul. Salukvadze’s impact goes beyond medals. In 2016, she and her son became the first mother-son duo to compete together at the Olympics, a historic moment for the sport.

Wilma Rudolph

Nicknamed the “The Black Gazelle,” Rudolph overcame polio as a child and went on to win three gold medals in track and field at the 1960 Rome Olympics. Her story became a symbol of perseverance.

Billie Jean King

This legendary tennis player dominated the court with 39 Grand Slam titles (12 in singles, 16 in women’s doubles and 11 in mixed doubles). Off the court, she fought for equal prize money for women tennis players, paving the way for fairer compensation. She is also very well-known for her advocacy for women in sports and LGBTQ rights.

Simone Biles

Considered one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, Biles‘s domination in Rio 2016 and her focus on mental health awareness in Tokyo 2020 made her an inspiration to athletes and audiences alike.

Looking Ahead: A Brighter Future?

The trend towards gender equality in the Olympics is undeniable. The 2020 Tokyo Games saw the highest number of female athletes participating (48.8 per cent) and the first-ever gender-balanced Youth Olympic Games in 2018. It increased from 34 per cent of the total in Atlanta in 1996. The IOC’s commitment to promoting women in sports bodes well for the future.

However, sustained efforts are required to address the remaining disparities. Increased media coverage acknowledging women’s achievements, equitable funding across genders and cultural shifts promoting female participation are crucial steps.

The Olympics can serve as a powerful platform for showcasing not just athletic prowess but also the value of equality. As women continue to break barriers and rewrite sporting history, the Olympic Games will undoubtedly witness a future where female athletes shine even brighter on the world stage.

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Featured image courtesy of via Flickr. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.

Nargiz Mammadzada is the head of our Sports Section. She is from Baku, Azerbaijan, but currently lives in Gdansk, Poland. She also writes for various platforms in the United States, Australia, Canada and United Kingdom.

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