Women and sports

Throughout human history, the role women have played in sports, just like in other areas, has changed as society evolved

Sports for women in ancient times

If we go way back, in Greek times women couldn’t take part in the Olympic Games. It’s even said they weren’t allowed to watch them, because if caught watching, they could be tortured to death. Of course, back then a person’s life wasn’t highly valued and society was clearly ruled by men’s dictatorships.

Gradually, women started carving out a space in sporting events during Roman times, although they weren’t taken very seriously and seemed more like entertainment.

It was in the early 70s that women began to be accepted in sports competitions with spectators. Still, we can’t forget the mindset of those times. Both in the United States and Europe, women’s roles were pretty clear and set: they were limited to taking care of kids, the home, and their husbands.

With this mindset, it was hard to accept that women were physically capable of participating in sports that seemed too tough for them

In 1896, the first modern version of the Olympics was held in Athens, and women had no place in this competition, although years earlier they had already started participating in some sports. Mostly, it was the privileged classes who had access since the sports were horseback riding, archery, golf, tennis, skiing…

The first appearance of women was at the second edition of the Olympics held in Paris in 1900. Still, they only took part in two sports, golf and tennis. Since then, participation in other sports has grown progressively despite resistance from the male sector.

It was in 1920 that women publicly demanded equal opportunities to enjoy sports just like men did.

From the 9th edition of the Games in 1921 held in Amsterdam, women had their place in track sports. And as hard as it may be to believe (or maybe not), back then a large number of men opposed women being present in these kinds of track competitions.

From that point on, women’s involvement in all kinds of sports has grown until the situation we know today. It seems the gap between men and women in sports is narrowing in terms of system and stats, but many issues remain unresolved regarding women in sports.

Sports for women today

While the situation described above seems far away and unlike today, some stereotypes and stigmas still need to be changed in our society.

Although it seems that at the highest levels opportunities have been equalized between sexes, a large part of society who aren’t elite athletes also live sports in their daily lives in the best way possible.

For example, the more traditional side probably still doesn’t fully accept that a mother can enjoy sports while leaving her kids in someone else’s care. Meanwhile, no negative view is perceived if it’s the man doing it.

That little hint of negativity that comes from the vision of a mother exercising and somehow “abandoning” her duties

You can change things

It’s obvious and necessary to create a society where every man and woman can play and enjoy sports regardless of sex. And you can do your part.

If you’re a man, leave behind the macho mindset and help the women around you feel involved in a more active life, a better life.

As a woman, know that your example can help others dare to move. Show them they’re capable, that they’re not bad mothers, women, daughters… for taking the time they need. That they can improve, that they’re strong, that they’re not less, and with strong convictions they can get wherever they want.

Luckily, the trend is to overcome this inequality but many women still don’t do sports, and this needs to change ASAP.