⏱️ 6 min read
Women have been breaking barriers, setting records, and redefining what’s possible in athletics for over a century. From pioneering athletes who competed when society told them they couldn’t, to modern superstars who dominate their fields, the history of women in sports is filled with remarkable achievements that deserve celebration. These fascinating facts highlight the incredible journey of female athletes and their lasting impact on the sporting world.
Groundbreaking Achievements in Women’s Athletics
1. The Ancient Origins of Women Competing in Athletics
While women were famously banned from the ancient Olympic Games, they had their own athletic competition called the Heraean Games, held in honor of the goddess Hera. These games took place every four years at Olympia, just like the men’s Olympics, and featured footraces for unmarried women. The winners received olive crowns and portions of a cow sacrificed to Hera, along with the right to dedicate statues with their names inscribed on them. This demonstrates that women’s competitive sports date back to at least 6th century BCE, making female athletics far more ancient than many people realize.
2. The Marathon Distance Barrier That Nearly Got a Woman Arrested
In 1967, Kathrine Switzer became the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon by registering under the gender-neutral name “K.V. Switzer.” When race official Jock Semple spotted her on the course, he physically tried to remove her from the race, grabbing at her numbers while shouting “Get the hell out of my race!” Her boyfriend and other runners blocked Semple, allowing Switzer to finish in approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes. Women weren’t officially allowed to run the Boston Marathon until 1972, making Switzer’s courageous run a pivotal moment in women’s sports history.
3. The Incredible Pay Gap Protest That Changed Tennis Forever
In 1970, nine female tennis players, including Billie Jean King, risked their careers by signing symbolic $1 contracts to form their own tournament. They were frustrated that male tennis players were earning up to eight times more prize money than women. This bold move led to the creation of the Women’s Tennis Association in 1973. Thanks to their activism, the US Open became the first major tournament to offer equal prize money to men and women in 1973, though it took Wimbledon until 2007 to follow suit.
4. The Youngest Olympic Gold Medalist Was a Teenage Figure Skater
Tara Lipinski became the youngest person to win an Olympic gold medal in an individual event at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, at just 15 years old. She defeated the heavily favored Michelle Kwan with a technically dazzling performance that included seven triple jumps. Lipinski had also become the youngest World Figure Skating Champion the year before at age 14, breaking a 70-year-old record. Her achievements demonstrated that age is truly just a number when it comes to athletic excellence.
Record-Breaking Moments and Achievements
5. The Soccer World Cup That Drew More Viewers Than NBA Finals
The 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup final between the United States and Japan attracted 25.4 million viewers in the US alone, making it the most-watched soccer match in American television history at the time—men’s or women’s. The viewership exceeded that year’s NBA Finals deciding game and the Stanley Cup Finals. The US Women’s National Team’s dominant 5-2 victory, featuring a hat trick by Carli Lloyd in the first 16 minutes, captivated the nation and proved that women’s sports could draw massive audiences when given proper promotion and prime-time slots.
6. The Gymnast Who Had Skills Named After Her That Were Too Dangerous
Simone Biles has five gymnastics skills named after her—more than any other gymnast in the modern era. What’s particularly remarkable is that some skills she’s performed have been given lower difficulty ratings by judges specifically to discourage other gymnasts from attempting them due to safety concerns. The “Biles” on floor exercise and the “Biles II” on floor both feature double layouts with different twists. Her dominance is so complete that she’s won a combined 37 Olympic and World Championship medals, making her the most decorated gymnast in World Championships history.
7. The Basketball Player Who Dunked Before Men Made It Popular
In 1984, Georgeann Wells became the first woman to dunk a basketball in an official NCAA game while playing for West Virginia University. This historic dunk came decades before dunking became more common in women’s basketball. Interestingly, the women’s game had existed for nearly a century at that point, but the combination of rim height, ball size, and biological factors made dunking exceptionally rare. Today, while still uncommon, more women are dunking, with players like Brittney Griner making it a regular part of their game.
8. The Surfer Who Returned to Competition After a Shark Attack
Bethany Hamilton lost her left arm in a shark attack while surfing in Hawaii at age 13 in 2003. Remarkably, she returned to competitive surfing just one month later and won her first national title two years after the attack. Hamilton went on to compete professionally, inspiring millions with her resilience. She’s since competed in numerous prestigious surfing events and even tried out for the US Olympic surfing team, proving that determination can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Inspiring Longevity and Comebacks
9. The Olympic Medalist Who Competed Eight Months After Giving Birth
Allyson Felix won a bronze medal in the 400 meters at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, just 10 months after giving birth to her daughter via emergency C-section at 32 weeks. The delivery was life-threatening due to severe preeclampsia. Felix’s comeback made her the most decorated American track and field athlete in Olympic history with 11 medals. Her achievement shattered outdated notions about motherhood ending athletic careers and inspired her advocacy for better treatment of pregnant athletes by sports sponsors.
10. The Figure Skater Who Competed Across Six Decades
Japanese figure skater Emi Watanabe holds the remarkable distinction of having competed at an elite level across multiple generations. While she’s not alone in having a long career, what’s extraordinary about women’s sports is the increasing number of athletes who compete successfully well into their 30s and 40s. Tennis players Venus Williams and Serena Williams both competed in their 40s at Grand Slam events, while Dara Torres won three silver medals in swimming at age 41 at the 2008 Olympics, proving that female athletes’ competitive windows have expanded dramatically.
Conclusion
These ten facts only scratch the surface of the remarkable stories within women’s sports. From ancient competitions to modern record-breaking performances, female athletes have consistently demonstrated exceptional skill, courage, and determination. They’ve fought against discrimination, shattered stereotypes, and achieved feats that inspire generations. As women’s sports continue to gain the recognition, funding, and media coverage they deserve, we can expect even more extraordinary achievements and fascinating stories to emerge. The history of women in sports is not just about athletic accomplishment—it’s about the ongoing fight for equality, respect, and the right to compete at the highest levels.
