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Historical Sketch of Women's Participation in Sports: an Overview

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Historical Sketch of Women's Participation in Sports: an Overview International Journal of Yogic, Human Movement and Sports Sciences 2018; 3(2): 417-422 ISSN: 2456-4419 Impact Factor: (RJIF): 5.18 Yoga 2018; 3(2): 417-422 Historical sketch of women’s participation in sports: an © 2018 Yoga www.theyogicjournal.com overview Received: 06-05-2018 Accepted: 08-06-2018 Dr. Namarta Vadhera Dr. Namarta Vadhera Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology and Social Abstract Anthropology Punjabi Women’s sport history started back in the 19th century. By the end of the 19th century, horseback riding, University, Patiala, Punjab, archery, golf, tennis, skiing and skating were being enjoyed among women in upper social class. The first India time for female athletes to participate in the modern Olympic Games was the second Olympic Games in 1900. Although the level of participation and performance still varies greatly by country and by sport, women's sports are widely accepted throughout the world today. In many sports women usually do not compete on equal terms against men. Although there has been a rise in participation by women in sports, a large disparity still remains. These disparities are prevalent globally and continue to hinder equality in sports. Many institutions and programs still remain conservative and do not contribute to gender equity in sports. The first international conference on women and sport, which brought together policy and decision makers in sport at both national and international level, took place in Brighton, UK from 5-8 May 1994. The International Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG) was established and it is an independent body of key governmental and non-governmental organizations which aims to empower women and improve their roles in sport. Despite growing participation of women in sport in recent years and increased opportunities for women to participate in domestic and international arenas, increased representation of women in decision making and leadership roles within sport has not followed. Women are significantly under-represented in management, coaching and officiating, particularly at the higher levels. Without women leaders, decision makers and role models within sport, equal opportunities for women and girls will not be achieved. Participation by women in sports increased dramatically after Title IX introduction, amid fears that this new law would jeopardize men's sports programs. Title IX has had a significant impact on athletics at the high school and collegiate level for female students. Muslim women are less likely to take part in sport than Western non-Muslims. There are many barriers for Muslim women in relation to sports participation. A significant barrier to Muslim women's sports participation is bans on the Islamic headscarf, commonly known as the hijab. At the same time, many Muslim female athletes have achieved significant success in athletic competitions. Black women athletes still are fighting for a change and equality for women athletes. This paper emphasize on historical participation of women in sports, the Brighton declaration with certain aims and principles so that women can stand at an equal position with males while participating in sports. This paper also highlights women’s participation in sports in different countries. Keywords: Olympic games, women, sports, participation, disparity, discrimination and organizations Introduction Women’s sport history started back in the 19th century. By the end of the 19th century, horseback riding, archery, golf, tennis, skiing and skating were being enjoyed among women in upper social class. The first time for female athletes to participate in the modern Olympic Games was the second Olympic Games in 1900. Only free male Greek citizens were allowed to participate in the first modern Olympic Games as well as the ancient Olympic Games. Correspondence According to the IOC (International Olympic Committee), only 12 female athletes participated Dr. Namarta Vadhera in the second Olympic Games out of the 1066 athletes from 19 countries. They competed in Assistant Professor, Department only two events which were golf and tennis. In the 3rd St. Louis Olympics, archery was the of Sociology and Social only women's event. In the 4th London Olympics, archery, figure skating, and tennis became Anthropology Punjabi women's events, and diving, swimming and tennis in the 5th Stockholm Olympics. The University, Patiala, Punjab, India decision of whether women can participate in the event or not was up to men who operated the ~ 417 ~ International Journal of Yogic, Human Movement and Sports Sciences Olympic Games. The events that men considered being a History of Women’s Participation in Sports "feminine sport" were recognized as women's sport events. Ancient civilizations Female participation and popularity in sports increased Before each ancient Olympic Games there was a separate dramatically in the twentieth century, especially in the last women's athletic event held at the same stadium in Olympia, quarter-century, reflecting changes in modern societies that the Heraean Games, dedicated to the goddess Hera. Myth held emphasized gender parity. Although the level of participation that the Heraea was founded by Hippodameia, the wife of the and performance still varies greatly by country and king who founded the Olympics. According to E. Norman by sport, women's sports are widely accepted throughout the Gardiner: “At the festival there were races for maidens of world today. In a few instances, such as figure skating, female various ages. Their course was 500 feet, or one-sixth less than athletes rival or exceed their male counterparts in popularity. the men's stadium. The maidens ran with their hair down their In many sports women usually do not compete on equal terms backs, a short tunic reaching just below the knee, and their against men. Although there has been a rise in participation right shoulder bare to the breast. The victors received crowns by women in sports, a large disparity still remains. These of olive and a share of the heifer sacrificed to Hera. They had, disparities are prevalent globally and continue to hinder too, the right of setting up their statues in the Heraeum.” equality in sports. Many institutions and programs still remain Although married women were excluded from the Olympics conservative and do not contribute to gender equity in sports. even as spectators, Cynisca won an Olympic game as owner Recently, we have come across many outstanding of a chariot (champions of chariot races were owners not performances by female players in soccer and baseball, which riders), as did Euryleonis, Belistiche, Zeuxo, Encrateia and used to be considered a sport for only men. A total of 204 Hermione, Timareta, Theodota and Cassia. countries and regions, the largest number in Olympic history, After the classical period, there was some participation by participated in the Beijing Olympic Games. Among the 25 women in men's athletic festivals. Women in Sparta began to medals that Japan won, 12 were won by female athletes. It practice the same athletic exercises that men did, exhibiting seems that the gap between men and women in sport is the qualities of Spartan soldiers. Plato even supported women getting much smaller when we look at women’s sport history. in sports by advocating running and sword-fighting for However, there are still definite issues that must be solved women. Notably, cultural representations of a pronounced concerning women’s sport. For example, female athletes who female physicality were not limited to sport in Ancient Greece must raise their family and children often face challenges of and can also be found in representations of a group of balancing athletic career and personal life. There is still a low warrioresses known as the Amazons. ratio of female coaches and executives in sports organizations. In short, the number of female coaches who Early modern have the potential to become leaders has not increased yet. The first Olympic Games in the modern era, which were in Considering these issues in women’s sport, Japanese Center 1896, were not open to women, but since then the number of for Research on Women in Sport encourages research to women who have participated in the Olympic Games have ensure that female athletes can focus on their athletic increased dramatically. performance in a better environment. Women's professional team sports achieved popularity for the 19th and early 20th centuries first time in the 1990s, particularly in basketball and football The educational committees of the French Revolution (1789) (soccer). This popularity has been asymmetric, being strongest included intellectual, moral, and physical education for both in the U.S., certain European countries and former girls and boys. With the victory of Napoleon less than twenty Communist states. Thus, women's soccer was originally years later, physical education was reduced to military dominated by the U.S., China, and Norway, who have preparedness for boys and men. In Germany, the physical historically fielded weak men's national teams. education of Guts Muths (1793) included girl's education. However, several nations with strong and even dominant This included the measurement of performances of girls. This men's national teams, such as Germany, Sweden, and Brazil, led to women's sport being more actively pursued in Germany have established themselves as women's powers. Despite this than in most other countries. Women's sports in the late 1800s increase in popularity, women's professional sports leagues focused on correct posture, facial and bodily beauty, muscles, continue to struggle financially. and health. Modern sports have seen the development of a higher profile Prior to 1870, activities for women were recreational rather for female athletes in other historically male sports, such than sport-specific in nature. They were noncompetitive, as golf, marathons or ice hockey. These significant informal, rule-less; they emphasized physical activity rather participation rise, has allowed more women to participate in than competition.
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