Equal for the first time: "Sign of the times"

For the first time in Olympic history, there will be as many women as men competing in the Paris Olympics. It's a sign of the times, says Daniel Alsarve, associate professor of sports science and expert on equality.

» Published: July 17 2024

Equal for the first time: "Sign of the times"
Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT

For the first time in Olympic history, the Paris Olympics will have an equal number of women and men competing.

It's a sign of the times, says Daniel Alsarve, associate professor of sports science and expert on equality.

128 years after the first Olympic Games, in Athens 1896, this year's Olympics will have an even distribution between female and male participants.

In some way, it shows that the International Olympic Committee has understood the value of letting an equal number of women and men compete. It signals something positive, says Daniel Alsarve, associate professor of sports science and expert on equality, and continues:

Then there's always a risk that you become satisfied and reduce the equality issue to just having an equal number. Still, there are vastly different conditions for men and women on the way to an Olympics.

"Reflects how it should be"

It can't be stated that the Paris Olympics are equal just because the distribution between the sexes is even. That's what Håkan Larsson, sports and gender researcher, says.

Other factors play in. You have to remember that the Olympics are not one thing, but a collection of several different sports, where the conditions look very different between sports – and between women and men in different sports, says Håkan Larsson.

That an equal number of women and men are competing in Paris, he still sees as positive.

I think it reflects the views that exist on how it should be. The number reflects in some way the opportunities and conditions you have. It's positive that it's equal, it's an indication that things have changed over time, Larsson continues.

And certainly, things have happened. In 1924, the last time the Olympics were held in Paris, only four percent of the competitors were women. They were limited to sports deemed suitable for them, such as swimming, tennis, and croquet.

"Positive with such initiatives"

In the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam, women were allowed to compete in athletics for the first time, but the sight of exhausted female runners after the 800-meter final shocked male spectators so much that women were excluded again.

Until 1968 – 40 years later – women were not allowed to compete in any event longer than 200 meters.

The Olympic Games in Paris 2024 will not only have an equal number of women and men, but the organizer has also announced that it will give more prominent placement to women's events.

For example, women's competitions have been scheduled for weekends, when more people watch TV.

I think it's important. It sounds like good initiatives, then you always have to evaluate how it turns out. It's also an aspect of historical equality work, that ambitions haven't always led to what you've hoped for. But it's positive that they're taking such initiatives, says Larsson.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Pelle Larsson Shines with Personal
1 MIN READ

Pelle Larsson Shines with Personal Best as Miami Ends Boston's Streak

Swedish Golf Faces Decision on
4 MIN READ

Swedish Golf Faces Decision on Club Membership Limits

Ovechkin Nears Gretzky's Record with
1 MIN READ

Ovechkin Nears Gretzky's Record with Goal Against Carolina

Mourinho's Nose Pinch Sparks Chaos
1 MIN READ

Mourinho's Nose Pinch Sparks Chaos in Istanbul Derby

Isak Scores 20th Goal as
1 MIN READ

Isak Scores 20th Goal as Tonali's Stunner Seals Newcastle Win

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Helsingborg Makes History as First Newcomer in SM Semifinals Since 1999

Djurgården Levels Semifinal in Tense
2 MIN READ

Djurgården Levels Semifinal in Tense 7-3 Win Over Södertälje

Jörgen Jönsson Steps Down as
1 MIN READ

Jörgen Jönsson Steps Down as Växjö Coach After Three Seasons

Färjestad's David Tomasek Heads to
2 MIN READ

Färjestad's David Tomasek Heads to NHL After Stellar SHL Season

Swedish Athletes Honored by King,
1 MIN READ

Swedish Athletes Honored by King, Duplantis Absent for Training

La Liga Blocks Barcelona from
2 MIN READ

La Liga Blocks Barcelona from Registering Dani Olmo

Cornelia Kapocs' National Team Call-Up
2 MIN READ

Cornelia Kapocs' National Team Call-Up Goes Viral with Heartwarming Video

Swedish Riders Aim to Defend
2 MIN READ

Swedish Riders Aim to Defend Titles at Basel Equestrian Finals

Möregårdh Cruises to Second Round
1 MIN READ

Möregårdh Cruises to Second Round in WTT Champions Tournament

Karlskoga's Måns Krämer Suspended Three
1 MIN READ

Karlskoga's Måns Krämer Suspended Three Games for Head Tackle

Jörgen Persson Takes on New
1 MIN READ

Jörgen Persson Takes on New Role as Saudi Arabia's Table Tennis Coach

Dani Alves Acquittal Faces Appeal
1 MIN READ

Dani Alves Acquittal Faces Appeal by Spanish Prosecutors

Ida Dahl Opens Up About
1 MIN READ

Ida Dahl Opens Up About Her Struggles After Skiing Success

Ancelotti Denies Fraud Charges in
1 MIN READ

Ancelotti Denies Fraud Charges in Madrid Court Over Tax Allegations

Sweden Loses UEFA Influence as
3 MIN READ

Sweden Loses UEFA Influence as Norway Gains Ground

Messi's Bodyguard Barred from Pitch
2 MIN READ

Messi's Bodyguard Barred from Pitch Access at Inter Miami Matches

Grand Slam Track Launches with
2 MIN READ

Grand Slam Track Launches with 130 Million Kronor Prize Pool

Tai Woffinden's Family Faces Uncertainty
1 MIN READ

Tai Woffinden's Family Faces Uncertainty After Speedway Crash

Ovechkin's Hat-Trick Puts Him Three
2 MIN READ

Ovechkin's Hat-Trick Puts Him Three Goals Shy of Gretzky's Record

Wayne Gretzky Faces Criticism Over
3 MIN READ

Wayne Gretzky Faces Criticism Over Silence on Canada-US Tensions

Disruptions Mar Örebro Soccer Match
1 MIN READ

Disruptions Mar Örebro Soccer Match as Bottle Thrown on Field

AIK Struggles in Semifinal Opener
1 MIN READ

AIK Struggles in Semifinal Opener with Ineffective Power Play

Elanga's Stunning Goal Secures Nottingham's
1 MIN READ

Elanga's Stunning Goal Secures Nottingham's Win Over Man United

Gabriel Faces Injury Setback as
1 MIN READ

Gabriel Faces Injury Setback as Saka Returns for Arsenal's Champions League Clash

Norway's Top Soccer League Ensures
1 MIN READ

Norway's Top Soccer League Ensures Contract Extensions for Pregnant Players

Premier League to Debut Semi-Automated
1 MIN READ

Premier League to Debut Semi-Automated Offside Tech Next Week

NBA Brawl Leads to Suspension
1 MIN READ

NBA Brawl Leads to Suspension of Five Players After Detroit-Minnesota Game

Häcken's Leo Väisänen Out for
1 MIN READ

Häcken's Leo Väisänen Out for Season After Debut Injury

Jennifer Falk Faces Goalkeeping Challenge
3 MIN READ

Jennifer Falk Faces Goalkeeping Challenge as Sweden Prepares for Euro 2024

Norwegian Skiers Cleared to Train
2 MIN READ

Norwegian Skiers Cleared to Train as Leaders' Bans Continue

Färjestad Coach Departs After Playoff
2 MIN READ

Färjestad Coach Departs After Playoff Exit; Club Legend Jönsson Set to Return

Haaland Expected to Return in
1 MIN READ

Haaland Expected to Return in 5-7 Weeks After Foot Injury

Experts Propose Global Sports Body
2 MIN READ

Experts Propose Global Sports Body to Tackle Corruption and Crime

Tennis Star Daria Kasatkina Leaves
1 MIN READ

Tennis Star Daria Kasatkina Leaves Russia to Compete for Australia

Gustavsson's Stunning Save Can't Prevent
1 MIN READ

Gustavsson's Stunning Save Can't Prevent Minnesota's Second Loss to New Jersey