Paris 2024: Witnessing a New Chapter of Gender Equality at the Olympics
- XiaoShuiZhu
- Sep 16, 2024
- 3 min read
The Paris Olympics brought about a sense of withdrawal—whether it’s from the top-tier aesthetics of the romantic lavender-colored track, the endless fun brought by the relaxed French people, the daily routine of checking the medal tally ingrained in our DNA, or the heartbeat fluctuations while watching one competition after another. Life will return to normal after the Paris Olympics, and memories will fade. However, the progress towards gender equality on the Olympic stage will not stop—it has been advancing for over a century and will continue to move forward.
This Paris Olympics saw a total of 10,500 athletes participating, with equal slots for men and women—5,250 each. Among the 32 events, the number of male and female athletes achieved complete equality—something unprecedented in Olympic history.
Looking back, women were initially completely restricted from the Olympics. In 1896, during the first Athens Olympics, women were banned from competing. The father of the modern Olympics, Pierre de Coubertin, stated, "Allowing women to compete would go against the very idea I had when reviving the Olympics. The Olympics is a grand celebration for gentlemen, and the role of women should be the same as in the ancient games: to crown the victors with laurels."
However, Paris shattered this old stereotype, and the image of women was no longer confined. In the 1900 Paris Olympics, women athletes entered the arena in an unofficial capacity. By the time of the 1924 Paris Olympics, women were officially allowed to compete in the games by the International Olympic Committee. It took 28 years for women to transition from spectators in the stands to athletes on the podium.
The Paris Olympics didn't stop at just letting women onto the field, but aimed for true equality. From the 8th Paris Olympics a hundred years ago, where 135 women competed alongside 2,954 men (a ratio of approximately 22:1), to today’s 33rd Paris Olympics, the ratio of male to female athletes has, for the first time, reached 1:1.
The Olympics are no longer a "grand celebration for gentlemen," and women’s roles are no longer limited to "crowning the victors with laurels" because, in today’s Paris Olympics, women are the victors! The Paris Olympics witnesses and propels gender equality in feminism!
Moreover, this year’s Paris Olympics went to great lengths to showcase the power of women to the world.
The theme color, purple, is not only a symbol of fashion and romance but also the representative color of feminism—"like wild violets, unnoticed but flourishing, trampled but standing tall." The flame emblem incorporates the image of Marianne, the French symbol of liberty, paying tribute to female athletes. The mascot, Phryg, inspired by the Phrygian cap worn by Marianne, symbolizes the pursuit of freedom and liberation while also promoting awareness of female anatomy. During the opening ceremony, ten statues of women—athletes, explorers, lawyers, and writers—rose slowly along the banks of the Seine River. These women stood against the wind and rain, shining with the upward force of female power. Behind them was the "Marseillaise," sung by 36 women—a shining moment for women. It was a feminist celebration watched by the whole world.
This celebration broke the stereotype of female frailty, allowing women to enjoy the same rights, opportunities, and resources as men.
Beyond the surface, the essence of gender equality was fully embodied in this year’s Olympics.
In the design of uniforms, France prepared sleeveless suits and trousers for female athletes, giving them the right to choose. Additionally, French male track and field athlete Sasha Zhoya requested to wear a skirt during the opening ceremony, and his request was approved by the organizing committee—clothing choices were no longer confined to gender. In synchronized swimming, male athletes were allowed to compete for the first time, marking the debut of men in this sport.
Elegance, grace, strength, coordination—these keywords have transcended gender boundaries, and the old gender stereotypes on the field are being gradually dismantled. Women can now choose to be whoever they truly are.
As a symbol of peace and human progress, the Olympics’ promotion of equality holds great significance.
Although gender issues are far more complex and longstanding, and despite ongoing gender-related controversies in these Olympics, such as questions of fairness in gender-based categories, the contribution of the Paris Olympics to advancing gender equality is undeniable.
"Liberty, Equality, Fraternity"—a resounding slogan from the French Revolution, and a call for the progress of human civilization today. The Paris Olympics is a milestone on the road to gender equality, but it is by no means the endpoint. We hope that in the future, women’s rights will be further respected, and that the power of women will shine on an even broader stage.
Edited by: Chi En, Kuang Kuang
Translated from Chinese, first posted on our Official Account:
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