Post by Chelle Belle on Jun 12, 2004 9:47:53 GMT -5
Some interesting tidbits to read to help us get into the Summer Olympic Games spirit!
Wendy DeGigilio
Girlsport consultant and writer, GSUSA
Female athletes have come a long way since the first Olympic Games took place in Olympia, Greece in 776 B.C. At those first recorded ancient Games, the only contested even was a 200 yard foot race - for men only.
Later, the Games were expanded to include boxing, wrestling, horse racing, chariot racing, and a five-event pentathlon which included javelin and discus throwing. The victorious athletes were crowned with wreaths of olive brances and treated like heroes for the rest of their lives. But women could not compete in the Games or even watch them.
In 1896, the "modern" Olympic Games were born (the Winter Olympic Games didn't start until 1924) and 14 nations sent 300 athletes to compete in track and field events. None of the athlete were women.
Finally, in 1900, 11 women were allowed to compete among the 1320 men. A century later at the 2000 competition in Sydney, Australia, women numbered more than 4000 of the 10,600 athletes and many made history. In Sydney, Birgit Fischer earned two goldmedals in kayaking to become the first woman in any sport to win medals 20 years apart.
Wendy DeGigilio
Girlsport consultant and writer, GSUSA
Female athletes have come a long way since the first Olympic Games took place in Olympia, Greece in 776 B.C. At those first recorded ancient Games, the only contested even was a 200 yard foot race - for men only.
Later, the Games were expanded to include boxing, wrestling, horse racing, chariot racing, and a five-event pentathlon which included javelin and discus throwing. The victorious athletes were crowned with wreaths of olive brances and treated like heroes for the rest of their lives. But women could not compete in the Games or even watch them.
In 1896, the "modern" Olympic Games were born (the Winter Olympic Games didn't start until 1924) and 14 nations sent 300 athletes to compete in track and field events. None of the athlete were women.
Finally, in 1900, 11 women were allowed to compete among the 1320 men. A century later at the 2000 competition in Sydney, Australia, women numbered more than 4000 of the 10,600 athletes and many made history. In Sydney, Birgit Fischer earned two goldmedals in kayaking to become the first woman in any sport to win medals 20 years apart.
