The 1900 Paris Olympics

By: Avery Calvert

Currently the Summer Olympics are taking place in Paris, France, but many do not realize that another Olympic milestone occurred in Paris 124 years ago. In 1900, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed women to participate in the Olympic Games for the first time. 

Upon revitalizing the Olympic Games in 1896, Pierre de Coubertin decided to keep with ancient tradition and not allow women to participate because he believed it was harmful for their health. In 1900, the IOC allowed women to participate in five sports: croquet, equestrian, golf, sailing, and tennis. Only twenty-two female athletes participated out of a total of 997. Two American women won medals at this Olympics. Marion Jones won the bronze medal in tennis for women’s singles and, with Laurence Doherty from Great Britain, won the bronze medal in mixed doubles. Marion and her sister Georgina were the first American women to participate in the 1900 Olympics. Also in 1900, American golfer Margaret Abbott became the first American woman to win a gold medal; however, she did not know she was participating in the Olympics. The Paris Exposition was held in conjunction with the 1900 Olympics and she thought she was just competing in the Paris Exposition. 

Over the years, women have continued to break Olympic boundaries. This year, the US Olympic team reached gender parity and has several female athletes leading the US to the Games. Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky leads the US Olympic team in medals with seven gold Olympic medals and three silver Olympic medals. Gymnast Simone Biles goes into this Olympics with seven Olympic medals. Basketball player Diana Taurasi, swimmer Lilly King, and swimmer Simone Manuel each have five Olympic medals. 

As I continue to watch the Games, I look forward to seeing these women break historic boundaries. Let’s go team USA!