Why Are Women Allowed In The Ancient Olympics? From Inclusion To Exclusion?

Sophia Zhang

Professor Crofton - Sleigh

Cultures and Ideas 1

6 March 2023 From Exclusion to Inclusion

The Olympics have been a unifying event since the very first games which captivated audiences with the spectacle of sports. These games originated as a religious festival with strong connections to ancient gods— these games were characterized by nude competitions with an emphasis on physical appearance. However, the most significant difference between the ancient and modern Olympic games is the exclusion of women. The growth of women in the modern Olympic games is representative of a major shift in our cultural perception of gender equality. In the ancient games, women were not allowed to compete, let alone assist athletes. This

The only women allowed near the games were unmarried women. Married women were not “allowed anywhere near the sacred rites of the Olympic games” (Pappas). They were considered to be a part of the “oikos” which means “the property of the house.” This in a sense is saying that women were “owned” by men. Women at this time did not have any legal or political freedoms and because the Olympics were a religious festival honoring Zeus, women were not allowed to participate in religious events let alone watch. The role that women played in the ancient Olympics was very small, as there was a lot of gender inequality. The discrimination against women because of their gender showed the patriarchal nature of ancient society. The exclusion of women in sports, especially during the ancient Olympics, shows that women were not valued as members of society and therefore did not have the opportunity to show their athletic abilities. The severe restriction on women’s access to the games is just one example of gender inequality in ancient

Now in modern games, women are participating in more events than ever before. In 2022, there was a new record of 174 women’s events in the summer games compared to just 2 women's events in the 1900 summer games (Statista). We have come a long way in society from the ancient Olympic games to now when it comes to gender inequality, especially in sports for women. It is significant that women are getting more events in the Olympics because it is not just an improvement of sports for women, but it also shows the shift in societal attitudes toward gender equality in today's world. The inclusion of women in the modern Olympics is beneficial for the future of society as well. As the Olympics provide more media coverage and attention towards women's sports; it allows women to be seen as valued members of society compared to the ancient games. The media coverage also influences younger generations to be able to see fellow women participating in sports that are typically known to be played by men to pursue their athletic dreams. While there is still more to achieve fair treatment for women, the progress that has been made is encouraging. It represents a huge leap forward for women's rights not just in sports but in society as