Every four years, the Olympics offers the world an opportunity to witness record-breaking athletic performances. This year’s Paris 2024 Olympics are no exception, but for the first time, gender equity also plays a starring role.
According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) this is the first Olympic Games to achieve full gender parity: 28 out of 32 sports are fully gender-equal and there are 152 women’s medal events and 157 men’s events.
The organization has also taken steps to improve the visibility of women in everything from the Opening Ceremony to the scheduling of events. For the first time ever Olympic Village Plaza also includes a nursery. This new athlete’s service was facilitated by Catalyst Supporter company Procter & Gamble and spearheaded by US track star Allyson Felix. Felix told CBS Mornings, “I think it really tells women that you can choose motherhood and also be at the top of your game and not have to miss a beat.”
This is particularly important for women, who generally take on a disproportionate amount of childcare. Catalyst research shows that nearly seven in ten (67%) women are concerned that their childcare responsibilities will negatively affect their career, compared to 52% of men. Athletes are no different.
Behind the scenes, gender equity still lags. For example, the IOC reports only 13% of coaches were women at the 2020 Tokyo games.
Controversies around topics such as gender stereotypes—like Eurosport commentator Bob Ballard’s unfortunate remarks—and dysfunctional uniform designs are still quite present, not to mention the controversy around boxer Imane Khelif of Algeria, who has faced attacks on her gender identity and eligibility.
The Olympic Games have come a long way since 1900, when Paris made history by welcoming women to compete—despite strong opposition from the father of the modern Olympic event, Pierre de Coubertin.
Since then, women have made groundbreaking contributions to the games. The 2024 Paris Olympics are no different. According to the Associated Press tracker, women are breaking world records daily from cycling to track, sport climbing to swimming.
To celebrate these individuals and the historic occasion the Paris 2024 Olympic games represent for gender equity, Catalyst invited illustrator Jasmine Hortop to create a piece. Here is a list of athletes featured her artwork:
- Abby Wambach
- Billie Jean King
- Chantal Petitclerc
- Clara Hughes
- Dara Torres
- Ellie Simmonds
- Florence Delorez Griffith Joyner
- Jackie Joyner-Kersee
- Katie Ledecky
- Nadia Comăneci
- Rayssa Leal
- Serena Williams
