Summer Olympics marks historic moment for gender equality
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Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
For the first time in Olympic Games history, an equal number of men and women will compete.
Why it matters: Following an economic boom in women's sports and more visibility for women athletes, the Paris Games will be another milestone for women.
What they're saying: Team USA track-and-field athlete Chari Hawkins says this is a "huge leap forward for women in sports."
- "For so long, the spotlight often felt uneven, and frankly, it wasn't uncommon to hear whispers about the legitimacy of women's athletics," Hawkins told Axios. "Having an equal number of competitors on the field this year completely changes that narrative, and I am honored to be a part of it."
International Olympics Committee president Thomas Bach said this achievement will be "one of the most important moments in the history of women at the Olympic Games, and in sport overall."
Flashback: When women competed for the first time in 1900, they made up 2.2% of all athletes.
- In March 2017, the IOC, Summer and Winter International Sports Federations, and National Olympic Committees launched the Gender Equality Review Project.
- At the Tokyo Games, gender parity was close with 48% women athletes participating.
By the numbers: Twenty-eight out of the 32 sports on the Paris 2024 program are fully gender-balanced.
- There are 152 medal events for women, 157 events for men and 20 mixed-gender events.
Yes, but: When the Olympics tweeted about the achievement, it was met with some opposition. Responses questioned sex parity vs. gender parity, challenging the inclusion of trans athletes.
- Trans athletes saw the 2020 Tokyo Games as their watershed moment when at least four openly trans and nonbinary athletes competed for the first time, Axios' Ina Fried reports.
The Paralympics hasn't yet reached gender parity. According to research from the Sociology of Sport Journal, women in the Paralympics made up just over 40% in the Tokyo Games.
The Olympic Games begin July 26 and run through Aug. 11 followed by the Paralympic Games starting Aug. 28.
