Why London 2012 Matters for Women

by Claire

For the first time in the history of the Olympics, every country has sent both female and male athletes, and all sports are open to both men and women. This is a historic moment for female athletes, showing both how far we have come, and how far we have to go. 

The last holdout countries were Brunei, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. After a veritable amount of international pressure including suggestions that should they not send female athletes, their male athletes should be disallowed from competing in the games, every single country has complied, though with the stipulation of a number of restrictions being placed upon the female athletes (that do not apply to male athletes.)

Women athletes from Saudi Arabia (which was the last country to agree to send women, a decision made only a few weeks ago) agreed only under the stipulation that women would wear clothing complying with Sharia law (basically everything except the face, hands and feet covered,) they require permission of their male guardians, who must travel with them, and they are not allowed to associate with men other than their male guardians. Yes, these restrictions stem from the religious culture of the area, and we live in a time where we aim to respect all cultures, but it should be pointed out that at one time Western culture was also sexist. Fortunately, we’ve (mostly) moved past that, at least to the point where women can compete at the Olympics in all of the same events as men, without debate. 

While these restrictions are blatantly sexist, and it is deplorable that it took 112 years from the time women were first allowed to compete for this moment to come, it is a reason to celebrate, for women everywhere, not just in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brunei. 

Unfortunately, many female athletes are invited to the Olympics on “wild card” invitations, rather than actually qualifying for the events. While the does kind of seem like we’re just placating gender equality activists by just putting women into the Olympics who have no real hope of placing anywhere noteworthy, it is important to bear in mind that many of these women come from places where there are so many barriers to them participating in sports that it is impressive for them to have made it as far as the Olympics. Having female athletes compete, even if they finish in the very last place, minutes after the next competitor, will only help to allow other girls and women to compete and participate in sport, both team and individual. They may finish dead last, but that athlete could be a hero in the eyes of so many little girls who need to be shown that it is okay for them to kick a ball, or to run for miles, despite what their culture may tell them. 

The Olympics do not come without their problems. There are politics that get in the way, corporate sponsorships that give unfair advantages to some athletes (ahem, Michael Phelps) and while others live in poverty, there is the sexualization of female athletes, and a host of other problems. But at the very heart of the Olympic games is the fostering of international relations, cooperation and friendship, the celebration of human athletic achievement, and a little (or a lot) of healthy competition. One only needs to looks at the face of the Qatar team’s flag bearer (one of the first female athletes from that country) and the hundreds of other athletes as they walk into the stadium during the opening ceremonies, to understand this. 

Victories during the Olympics come in big and small sizes. For some athletes, it is simply the ability to compete in state of the art facilities, which are distant dreams back home. For others, it is achieving a new personal best in their sport. Representing their country on an international level. Meeting new people and learning new ideas. Inspiring Olympic dreams in young athletes. Encouraging someone to take up a new sport. For a select few, setting a new world record. The massive steps towards the universal inclusion of women in the Olympic games is a big victory, one that should be celebrated everywhere.