The 2024 Paris Olympics marked a historic milestone by achieving full gender parity, a significant achievement considering the century-long struggle for equal representation in sports. With an equal number of male and female athletes competing for the first time, this achievement represents a significant step toward gender equality. However, the underlying issues of respect and equitable treatment remain unresolved, casting a shadow over this progress.
This milestone is worth celebrating, but it is not the end of the journey. The experiences of athletes like Imane Khelif and the pervasive issues of media misogyny highlight the ongoing challenges in achieving true gender equality in sports. Representation without respect is hollow; it is crucial to create an environment where female athletes are valued and respected as equals.
The road to gender parity in the Olympics has been long and arduous. Women first competed in the Paris Olympics in 1900, four years after the first modern Games in Athens. Over the decades, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has implemented various measures to promote gender equality, including the introduction of mixed-gender events and encouraging nations to have both male and female flag bearers. The 2024 Paris Olympics, with its 50-50 gender split among the 10,500 athletes, represents the culmination of these efforts.
This achievement is a testament to the progress made in the Olympic Movement’s mission to promote gender equality. The Paris 2024 Games are also notable for their symbolic actions, such as renaming sports facilities after prominent women to enhance the visibility and recognition of female athletes. Yet, while these actions mark significant strides, they do not necessarily translate into equal treatment and respect for female athletes.
Criticizing someone for having a “manly face” is not only disrespectful but also harmful, perpetuating toxic notions of what men and women should look like. It’s important to challenge and change these attitudes, promoting a more inclusive and respectful environment in sports and beyond. Everyone deserves to be recognized for their talents and achievements without facing discrimination or prejudice based on their appearance.
The Imane Khelif controversy: A case study in discrimination
The controversy surrounding Algerian boxer Imane Khelif is a stark reminder that gender parity in numbers does not automatically lead to equality in experience. Khelif, who faced baseless accusations of being a man after her bout with Italian boxer Angela Carini, was subjected to transphobia and misogyny.
Khelif after her win to secure semi-finals spot. Via @imane_khelif_10 on Instagram.
Despite the IOC confirming her female status, the damage was done. The controversy fueled by her non-conventional feminine appearance and physical strength exposed the deep-seated biases that still plague women’s sports. Olympic Committee spokesperson addressed the Imane Khelif boxing controversy saying the Algerian boxer “was born female, was registered female, lived her life as a female
Khelif’s case is not an isolated incident. In 2021, she was defeated by an Irish boxer in the Tokyo Olympics. In 2023, she was disqualified from the Women’s World Championships based on vague eligibility tests. These instances highlight the broader issue of how female athletes, particularly those who do not conform to traditional gender norms, are often unfairly scrutinised and discriminated against.
Also read: Disinformation About Olympic Boxing Finalist Imane Khelif Still Widespread
Media misogyny and disrespect
The treatment of female athletes by the media further underscores the gap between representation and respect. During the Paris Olympics, a Eurosport commentator made a derogatory remark about Australian swimmers doing their makeup after winning gold in the 4×100 freestyle relay. Such comments trivialise the achievements of female athletes and perpetuate harmful stereotypes. This incident is part of a broader pattern where women’s sporting accomplishments are often overshadowed by sexist commentary and unequal media coverage.
In response to these issues, the IOC and other organisations have called for more respectful and equitable portrayal of female athletes. Olympic Broadcasting Services CEO Yiannis Exarchos emphasised that women athletes should be showcased based on their athletic prowess, not their appearance. This directive aims to challenge and change the way female athletes are perceived and portrayed in the media.
The global perspective: Gender equality beyond numbers
While the Paris 2024 Olympics’ achievement of gender parity is a significant milestone, it is essential to consider the global context of gender equality in sports. In many parts of the world, female athletes still face significant barriers to participation. For instance, the Taliban’s recognition of only male athletes from Afghanistan at the Paris Games highlights the ongoing struggles for women in many regions where societal and political constraints severely limit their opportunities in sports.
Even in countries with better support for female athletes, disparities persist. The U.S., for example, has seen significant progress in women’s sports, but issues like unequal pay, media representation, and sponsorship continue to affect female athletes. These disparities underscore the need for a holistic approach to gender equality in sports, one that goes beyond numbers to address the systemic biases and barriers that women face.
Institutional responses and continuing challenges
The IOC has made significant strides in promoting gender equality within its own ranks. Female representation on the IOC’s executive board and commissions has increased, and women now hold 50% of the positions on IOC commissions. These changes are part of the broader Olympic Agenda 2020, which aims to promote gender equality at all levels of the Olympic Movement.
Despite these advancements, challenges remain. The experience of female athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics has shown that achieving numerical parity is not enough. True gender equality requires addressing the underlying issues of respect, recognition, and equitable treatment. This includes ensuring that female athletes receive the same level of support, media coverage, and opportunities as their male counterparts.
Beyond parity to true equality
The controversy surrounding Imane Khelif at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she faced accusations of being a man, highlights broader issues of sexism and discrimination in sports. These issues are not new and reflect deeper societal biases that impact female athletes, especially those who do not conform to conventional standards of femininity.
Sexism in sports has been an enduring issue. Historically, female athletes have faced numerous barriers to participation and recognition. From being excluded from the early Olympic Games to facing unequal pay and sponsorship opportunities, women in sports have long struggled for equality. This struggle extends beyond participation to how female athletes are perceived and treated by the media, sports organisations, and the public.
To move forward, the focus must shift from merely achieving numerical parity to addressing the systemic issues that impact women’s experiences in sports. This includes challenging sexist attitudes, promoting equitable media coverage, and ensuring that female athletes receive the same level of support and recognition as their male peers. Only then can we achieve true gender equality in sports and honour the spirit of the Olympics.
The 2024 Paris Olympics should serve as a reminder that while progress has been made, there is still much work to be done. The goal should be not just gender parity but true equality, where every athlete, regardless of gender, is respected, valued, and given the opportunity to succeed on and off the field.
Kanwal Singh is a policy analyst from Jammu and Kashmir.
