The finish line is just the beginning: gender parity at the Olympics

For the first time in history, gender parity will be achieved at the Paris Olympic Games, a seminal moment in the world of international sports. This milestone is celebrated as a triumph for female athletes and a reflection of broader shifts in societal norms concerning gender equality. The narrative of women’s participation in the Olympics is an illustration of progress, shaped by decades of advocacy, evolving policies, and a deepening global commitment to fairness and inclusion.

In their original form, the Olympics were an exclusively male domain; women only began to participate in the modern version of the games in 1900 which, incidentally, also took place in Paris. Over the past century, the trajectory of women’s involvement has been both challenging and inspiring. Limited initially to a handful of events, female athletes have broken barriers progressively across more sports and disciplines, gradually achieving representation comparable to their male counterparts. It is therefore symbolic that this achievement of 50 per cent representation has come full circle back in Paris, underscoring a century of progress and the enduring spirit of the Olympic Games.

However, achieving numerical parity does not fully address underlying issues such as the perceived inferiority of women’s sports and tokenistic nature of some representation. This parity might be seen as a facade of progress that masks the need for deeper structural changes in society. While women’s participation is celebrated, the true value and recognition of their sports often remain in the shadow of their male counterparts.

The achievement of 50 per cent female participation in the Olympics does more than just alter statistics; it also challenges the deeply ingrained social structures that govern sports and beyond. This mirrors Kimberlé Crenshaw’s theory of intersectionality, which explores how race, gender, nationality and religion uniquely and significantly affect the experiences of females. According to Crenshaw, a leading scholar of critical race theory, different aspects of a person’s identity combine and influence each other, leading to a varied and complex pattern of discrimination and privilege among individuals.

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Applying this lens to the realm of international sports, particularly the Olympics, we can examine how these intersecting identities influence the participation and reception of female athletes from diverse backgrounds. For instance, female athletes from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), especially those who identify as Muslim, navigate a particularly challenging landscape that intertwines cultural expectations and religious practices with the global sporting environment. These athletes encounter a unique set of expectations and barriers that differ markedly from their counterparts in other regions.

Moreover, religious practices, such as the observance of the hijab, can become contentious and negotiation in sports where uniform codes exist.

This adds a layer of complexity to their participation, requiring accommodation that respects their religious commitments while allowing them to compete on an equal footing with other athletes. The international sporting community’s response to these needs — whether supportive or obstructive — further affects these athletes’ experiences and opportunities.

Accordingly, the intersection of gender with other identity markers such as religion and nationality does not merely add to challenges faced by these athletes; it transforms their experience qualitatively. This perspective underscores the importance of policies and practices in international sports that are sensitive to and supportive of the diverse needs and identities of all athletes, promoting true inclusivity and equity within the Olympic spirit.

For Muslim women athletes, these intersections manifest not only as internal cultural and religious challenges but are compounded by global patterns of racialisation and Islamophobia that permeate international sports.

The racialisation of Muslim gendered identities in the global arena often subjects these athletes to scrutiny and discrimination that go beyond national and cultural boundaries. In international sports, Muslim women frequently confront Islamophobic prejudices that stereotype them as oppressed or inherently non-athletic due to their religious and ethnic backgrounds. These stereotypes are embedded deeply in Western perceptions of Islam and are mobilised further in sports, where physical freedom and visibility are considered to be paramount.

To confront these challenges effectively, it is essential to adopt an approach in international sports governance that acknowledges and actively counters the layers of discrimination Muslim women face.

Policies must be re-evaluated and reformed to ensure that they do not inadvertently reinforce racial and religious biases.

This includes revisiting dress codes, enhancing cultural competency among sports officials and audiences, and promoting narratives that celebrate diversity and resilience rather than perpetuating stereotypes.

By addressing these systemic issues, international sports organisations can better uphold the principles of fairness and equality. Acknowledging and combating the racialised and Islamophobic barriers faced by Muslim women athletes is not only a matter of achieving gender parity, but is also crucial for the integrity of sports and the Olympic spirit, which aspires to unite diverse peoples in peaceful and fair competition.

Despite these challenges, the inclusion of athletes like fencer Shaimaa El-Gammal from Egypt and Qatari rifle shooter Bahiya Al-Hamad represents significant progress. Their success is not just about individual achievements, but also inspiring cultural shifts and challenging stereotypes in their home countries and beyond.

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The success stories of female Olympians have become a powerful narrative in discourse on gender equality. These athletes exemplify resilience, dedication, and excellence and serve as role models not only to aspiring sportswomen, but also to all individuals advocating for equality in any field. The impact of such representation is profound. Young girls worldwide who tune into the Olympics now see that their dreams have no limits — that they too can aspire to be athletes or achieve greatness in any endeavour they choose. This visibility is crucial for inspiring the next generation to pursue sports and other traditionally male-dominated fields with confidence and ambition.

The ripple effects of gender parity in the Olympics extend beyond the athletes themselves. They influence the media, sponsorships and broader business aspects of sports, slowly balancing the coverage and recognition of female athletes. It is, nevertheless, essential to continue advocating for policies that not only increase the numbers, but also enhance the quality and perception of women’s sports. Sustained efforts to address pay disparities, provide equal training opportunities and promote women in leadership roles within sports organisations are crucial.

While the achievement of gender parity at the Olympics is a landmark in the history of sports and a step towards equality, it also serves as a timely reminder of the aforementioned challenges. Despite this, Paris 2024 will underscore the continuing journey towards an inclusive and equitable sporting landscape, reflecting a world that values and strives for fairness for all athletes, irrespective of gender.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.