Women in Sports: Sports have been a reflection of society, reflecting both its progress and limitations. Despite the significant strides made toward gender equality in various aspects of life, women continue to face barriers in the world of sports.
However, Brave, nonconformist, and fighters, there are many women who have broken limits and barriers in sport. They were the first to participate in a sports discipline, broke records, and broke anti-discrimination regulations. These are some of the women who have made history in the sport and in the race toward equality.
Participating in a marathon, competing on equal terms, or earning the same salary as men are some of the obstacles that these women have faced and overcome in the world of sport. These athletes have not only succeeded in their careers but have crossed glass ceilings, exceeded limits, and conquered territories traditionally dominated by men. This article highlights some of these trailblazers and their stories.
Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to run a marathon
The scene of this athlete running the Boston Marathon in 1967, while several men tried to stop her by shaking her, went around the world. At that time, running was not allowed for women like so many other things. For this reason, she had to register as KS Switzer to avoid the ban, which made her the first woman to officially run a marathon with a bib number.
That number, the number 261, became a symbol of the demands of women in sports. Switzer continued during her career working to achieve the recognition and presence of women in this discipline.
Ada Hegerberg, the first footballer to win the Ballon d’Or
In 2018, the Norwegian player Ada Hegerberg, forward for Olympique de Lyon, became the first footballer to win a Ballon d’Or. Recognition for her long sports career that includes five French leagues, five national cups, and four Champions Leagues, among other wins.
Despite all her merits, she had to endure that at the Ballon d’Or delivery gala; the presenter asked her if she “knew how to do,” something that outraged the athlete and the public. The soccer player withdrew due to a dispute with the Norwegian Federation, to which she claims “equal treatment.”
Serena and Venus Williams, equality activists
The Williams sisters are two of the greatest tennis players in history. Between the two, they have eight Olympic medals, three of them gold in doubles. Serena’s great physical and mental strength and impressive blows have led her to win, among many other competitions, 23 individual titles in Grand Slam tournaments, surpassed only by the player Margaret Court. Venus Williams, for her part, was the first African-American player to be number 1 in the WTA, the world rankings for women’s tennis.
Along with their successful career, the Williams sisters have stood out for their activism for women’s equality and the African-American community. They managed to end the wage gap at the Wimbledon and French Open tournaments. They have suffered many macho criticisms, especially Serena, for her clothing in some tournaments or for her quick return to the track after being a mother.
Nadia Comanenci, perfection
Nadia Comanenci’s exercise in the parallel bars at the Montreal 76 Olympic Games is undoubtedly the most famous in history. At just 14 years old, the Romanian gymnast managed to achieve perfection and got a 10. It was the first time in history that such a score was awarded, to the point that the scores reflected a 1 because they were not prepared for more than three digits ( two of them intended for decimals).
Nadia fled Romania and settled in the United States in 1989. From there, about turning 60, she leads solidarity and humanitarian projects in the US and Romania and started a gymnastics school in which the gymnast’s GymNadia method is applied.
It is a system that prioritizes the well-being and happiness of the little ones who want to get into gymnastics and that avoids any aggressive method, thus far removed from the bad times that gymnastics has experienced, with physical and psychological abuse, as shown in the document Gymnast A, starring great figures of this discipline.
Maya Moore, a basketball superstar, and social justice advocate
Maya Moore is a former American professional basketball player who, in addition to her impressive success on the court, is also a staunch advocate for social justice. In 2019, he stepped away from basketball to fight for criminal justice reform. She used her platform to spread awareness of Jonathan Irons, who was wrongfully convicted and sentenced to 50 years in prison.
Moore’s defence efforts paid off in 2020 when Irons’ conviction was overturned, and he was released from prison. Moore’s passion for social justice extends to other causes, including education and combating human trafficking. Maya’s actions inspired many, not just basketball fans, to use her own platform to speak out against injustice. Her commitment to making a difference in the world on and off the field is a powerful reminder that athletes are not just athletes; they can be athletes. Catalysts for change.
Edurne Pasaban, against discrimination in Nepal
The mountaineer from Tolosa (Navarra) was the first woman to ascend the fourteen ‘eight thousand’, the mountains that reach 8,000 meters of altitude. Just a decade ago, the last of those peaks, that of Shisha Pangma, culminated.
The athlete has excelled in a particularly macho field and has fought for equality. In 2018 she announced her return to the ‘eight thousand’ to denounce the discrimination against women in an area of Nepal where they are not allowed to climb the mountains, considered the land of the gods. There, she is accused of being impure for menstruating, and they are forced to live in undignified conditions, far from the towns.
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In conclusion
These stories of women in sports demonstrate the courage, tenacity, and determination needed to break down barriers and achieve equality. These athletes have fought discrimination, challenged gender stereotypes, broken records, and paved the way for the next generation of women in sports. Progress has been made, but there is still a long way to go to achieve true equality in sports.
The achievements of these women are an inspiration to all of us to continue to lead a world where women in sports are celebrated and valued on an equal footing with men. That’s why it’s so important to continue to support and celebrate women’s achievements in sports and other fields and to work towards a fairer and more just society.
