From Sidelines to Spotlight: Women in Sports, Then and Now
Brought to you by Represent
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Simone Biles, Serena Williams, Yip Pin Xiu. These are just some of the names that come to mind when we think about female athletes who have made great strides in the world of sports. Today, women in sports are celebrated and supported. But women’s involvement in sports was not always encouraged. In fact, there was even a time when women were shunned from the sports arena.
So how did we get to where we are today with women's sports?
So how did we get to where we are today with women's sports?
When the Olympics Games began in Ancient Greece in 776 BCE, events like running, wrestling and the long jump, pictured on this piece of pottery, were created for men and perceived as masculine.
These competitions were considered undesirable for women, who were expected to be feminine and delicate. As such, women were barred from even watching the Games, let alone participating.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsThese competitions were considered undesirable for women, who were expected to be feminine and delicate. As such, women were barred from even watching the Games, let alone participating.
That is not to say that women were completely excluded from sporting events. The Heraean Games were created for women and allowed them to compete in stadion, or running events. Spartan women, who typically engaged in various sports in their upbringing, often won these games.
Although women were allowed to take part in these Games, however, the track was 1/6th shorter than the men's Olympic track. This showed a clear bias against women’s abilities.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsAlthough women were allowed to take part in these Games, however, the track was 1/6th shorter than the men's Olympic track. This showed a clear bias against women’s abilities.
During the Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties, women in ancient China competed in professional matches of cuju, a version of today’s football.
Unfortunately, the increasing popularity of women’s foot binding soon restricted their ability to play the game.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsUnfortunately, the increasing popularity of women’s foot binding soon restricted their ability to play the game.
Despite the limited number of official sporting events that allowed women to participate, women did enjoy sports as leisure activities.
One such sport was hawking, or falconry. This activity was (and still is) popular among noblewomen, and involved hunting wild game with trained birds of prey.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsOne such sport was hawking, or falconry. This activity was (and still is) popular among noblewomen, and involved hunting wild game with trained birds of prey.
During the 19th century, horseback riding and swimming became fashionable pastimes for women in high society.
Encouraged by the increasing number of sports that society saw as acceptable for women to participate in, many women formed their own informal athletic clubs. Tennis, bowling and archery clubs began to pop up everywhere from New York to New Orleans.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsEncouraged by the increasing number of sports that society saw as acceptable for women to participate in, many women formed their own informal athletic clubs. Tennis, bowling and archery clubs began to pop up everywhere from New York to New Orleans.
Just a few decades later, women began to play sports professionally. Yet playing in the big leagues came with its own set of challenges.
The creation of formal rules in various sports was the beginning of women's forays into modern professional sports.
Such rules helped to reduce violent behaviour on the playing field. These newly organised sports were thus viewed by the public as less dangerous and more acceptable for women’s participation.
Professional women’s sporting clubs, such as the British Ladies’ Football Club, were soon founded.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsSuch rules helped to reduce violent behaviour on the playing field. These newly organised sports were thus viewed by the public as less dangerous and more acceptable for women’s participation.
Professional women’s sporting clubs, such as the British Ladies’ Football Club, were soon founded.
The 1900 Paris Olympics marked the first Olympic Games in which women were allowed to participate. 22 women took part in tennis, sailing, croquet, equestrian events, and golf, but were prohibited from competing in other sports, which were considered too strenuous for women’s bodies.
Rather than celebrate their achievements or performances, however, media outlets chose to report on the female athletes’ appearances.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsRather than celebrate their achievements or performances, however, media outlets chose to report on the female athletes’ appearances.
Despite the lack of mainstream support, women in sports persevered. Female athletes, especially women of colour, often had no access to skilled coaches and higher level training.
Alice Coachman (pictured) trained on dirt roads with a homemade high jump bar. Despite these challenges, she later became the first Black woman to win a gold medal in the women’s high jump event during the 1948 London Olympics. Image: Wikimedia Commons
Image: Wikimedia CommonsAlice Coachman (pictured) trained on dirt roads with a homemade high jump bar. Despite these challenges, she later became the first Black woman to win a gold medal in the women’s high jump event during the 1948 London Olympics. Image: Wikimedia Commons
Equal rights for women in sports progressed greatly in the 1970s with the landmark Battle of the Sexes match. Tennis player Billie Jean King took on former No.1-ranked tennis player and self-proclaimed male chauvinist Bobby Riggs – and won.
Her inspiring victory proved that women could do just as well in sports as men, something that King wholeheartedly believed in. She continued to advocate for gender equality in sports, including fighting for equal prize money for men’s and women’s games.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsHer inspiring victory proved that women could do just as well in sports as men, something that King wholeheartedly believed in. She continued to advocate for gender equality in sports, including fighting for equal prize money for men’s and women’s games.
Establishing equal footing in the sports industry has not been easy, but since then, women’s sports have grown by leaps and bounds. Today, it is bigger than ever, whether in terms of viewership, sponsorship or participation.
In 2023, nearly 10 million viewers tuned into the broadcast of the U.S. collegiate women’s basketball championship game, and the WNBA finals drew a crowd of over 17,000–the largest in WNBA history.
Big names like ESPN and Google are investing in more women’s sports coverage, while iconic brands like Nike and Gatorade are increasing budgets for advertisement deals with female athletes.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsBig names like ESPN and Google are investing in more women’s sports coverage, while iconic brands like Nike and Gatorade are increasing budgets for advertisement deals with female athletes.
Some women athletes have even become GOATs: so good at their sport that they practically represent it. Serena Williams is one such player. She holds 23 Open Era Grand Slam singles titles – the highest tally of not just any woman but of any player.
She and her sister Venus Williams have won three Olympic golds and 14 Slam doubles titles. These accomplishments are truly no ordinary feat!
Image: Wikimedia CommonsShe and her sister Venus Williams have won three Olympic golds and 14 Slam doubles titles. These accomplishments are truly no ordinary feat!
Renowned Paralympian Tatyana McFadden is another such MVP.
Thanks to her, great strides have been made in the world of para-sports. She successfully fought for equal access in sports for people with disabilities. Because of her work, a state-mandated Sports and Fitness Equity Act which gives students with disabilities the right to compete in high school sports has now been established in the US. It is nicknamed “Tatyana’s Law”.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsThanks to her, great strides have been made in the world of para-sports. She successfully fought for equal access in sports for people with disabilities. Because of her work, a state-mandated Sports and Fitness Equity Act which gives students with disabilities the right to compete in high school sports has now been established in the US. It is nicknamed “Tatyana’s Law”.
Although we still have much progress to make, the future looks bright for women who wish to enjoy or excel in sports.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsWhat can we look forward to seeing next in women’s sports?