The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is commemorating a historic milestone set to be realised at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games: achieving a 50:50 gender distribution of quota places for male and female athletes. This marks the first instance in Olympic history where complete gender parity will be observed on the competition field. “We are about to celebrate one of the most important moments in the history of women at the Olympic Games, and in sport overall,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. [Olympics.com]
Over the years, the IOC’s dedication to gender equality has led to a steady increase in the number of female athletes at the Olympics. Starting at just 2.2 percent in the 1900 Paris Games, the percentage of female participants rose to 23 percent in Los Angeles 1984, 44 percent in London 2012, and 48 percent in Tokyo 2020. Now in Paris, again, the IOC will reach the mark of conducting the first ever Olympics Games with a 50:50 athletes’ gender ratio.
President Bach added, “We are looking forward to Paris 2024, where we will see the results of the enormous efforts made by the Olympic Movement and female trailblazers come to life. This is our contribution to a more gender-equal world.”
Key initiatives, in collaboration with International Sports Federations (IFs) and National Olympic Committees (NOCs), have paved the way for equal opportunities for male and female athletes at the Olympics. These include a more gender-balanced sports programme, with 28 out of 32 sports achieving full gender equality in Paris. The medal events are also more evenly distributed, with 152 women’s events, 157 men’s events, and 20 mixed-gender events, ensuring that over half of all medal events will be open to female athletes.
Beyond the field of play, the IOC has taken steps to enhance the visibility of women at the Olympics. Since Tokyo 2020, teams are encouraged to have one female and one male athlete jointly carry their flag at the Opening Ceremony. The IOC is urging all NOCs to include a minimum of one female and one male athlete in their delegations.
Efforts have also been made to ensure fair scheduling of women’s and men’s sports events over the 16 days of the Olympic Games, providing journalists with the opportunity to balance their coverage. In a notable shift. The women’s marathon at Paris 2024 will take place a day after the men’s, concluding the athletics programme during the Closing Ceremony. For numerous years, the conclusion of the Olympic fortnight has been marked by the men’s marathon as a concluding spectacle. However, in Paris 2024, this tradition will be overturned, with the spotlight now on showcasing the achievements of female athletes.
While Paris 2024 will be a proud moment, the IOC emphasises that this is not the finish line. Various IOC-led programmes are in place and will continue to address the remaining gender gap in sport, spanning access to sports at grassroots levels for girls, coaching opportunities for females, and leadership positions for women. The IOC and the Olympic Movement remain committed to using the power of sport to contribute to a more equal and inclusive society, extending their efforts beyond Paris to create a lasting impact. “Our commitment to advancing gender equality does not end in Paris,” in the words of the IOC President. “We will continue to open pathways for women and to work with our stakeholders, encouraging them to take the necessary steps to advance gender equality in their area of responsibility. The IOC will keep leading the way and using the power of sport to contribute to a more equal and inclusive society”, added Bach.
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