Olympic Evolution: A Marathon of Gender Equity and Inclusion

It was 1976. The first Olympics that I remember watching were the 1976 Montreal games.

I was 11 years old and with Montreal being on the same continent and only three hours time difference, my viewing was set up to watch it all.

Some of the names are still embedded in my memory: Sugar Ray Leonard, Nadia Comaneci, Frank Shorter, Bruce Jenner, Leon and Michael Spinks, John Naber, and the USA men’s basketball team coached by Dean Smith featuring players like Scott May, Adrian Dantley, and future SuperSonics Tom LaGarde and Quinn Buckner.?

I love watching the Olympics and have enjoyed these games in Paris, even though in many cases I already knew the outcome of the event based on 21st century communications.?

You will note that my memories of athletes from nearly 50 years ago is weighted heavily on males. Other than the great Nadia Comaneci, who was 14 years old to my 11 years old, and you probably know what captured my attention, the legends of the games were all men.?

I’m happy to say that things have changed in these five decades. While Simone Biles and Katy Ledecky deservedly receive the most recognition, I’ve watched countless women compete brilliantly in events, and competitions that in some cases weren’t even available in 1976. I’m eagerly looking forward to watching the women tee it up for golf in a few days, and rooting for Nelly Korda, Lilia Vu, and Rose Zhang. Not only are more women competing, but more people are watching them compete than ever before.?

As a “girl dad” and a grandfather to three young girls, I’m thrilled about the opportunities presented to them that were less than or not available when I was young.?

One small example is when I took my oldest granddaughters to Pee Wee golf camp, the majority of the participants were girls! Back when I was in high school, we had one girl who was brave enough to compete on the boys team as there was no team for the girls.?

We still have work to do as a society with equity for women in pay and opportunity. However, I’d like to focus on just how far we’ve come in my lifetime. The Olympics, as with sport in general, has been a leader in the way of equity and inclusion to the betterment for women athletes and all of us who enjoy watching them compete.?

For my daughters and grandchildren, the best is yet to come. And as that continues to happen in all walks of life, we as a society benefit and improve.?

Keep chasing unleashed.

Quote of the Week:

“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.”

~ Helen Keller

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