IN 1966, Bobbi Gibb became the first woman to run the entire Boston Marathon, at a time when women were explicitly barred from participating in the event.
Before the event, Gibb hid in the bushes near the start line and jumped into the race wearing long, baggy shorts to blend in with the male runners.
Her successful completion of the marathon in the time of 3hrs 21mins 40secs, challenged the prevailing misconceptions of the era – that women were not physically capable of enduring such gruelling distances.
A year later, Kathrine Switzer registered to run the Boston Marathon as “K. Switzer” which disguised her gender, but after around 5km the director of the race tried to rip the bib off her, demanding that she get out of his race. Undeterred by his attempts, she went on to complete the race in around 4hrs 20mins.
Gibb and Switzer’s defiant acts became pivotal moments in sports history, sparking a change in attitudes towards women’s abilities in athletics.
It highlighted the arbitrary limitations imposed on women and paved the way for official acceptance of female runners in marathons, ultimately leading to the inclusion of women in the Boston Marathon and other major athletic events globally.
The legacy of these two trailblazers is a testament to the power of determination and resilience in the face of systemic discrimination.
These groundbreaking runs not only broke physical barriers, but also shattered pervasive gender stereotypes, marking a significant milestone in the fight for equality in sports.
Despite undeniable progress, the path, even today, remains strewn with obstacles. Deep-seated biases and entrenched societal norms continue to stymie the achievement of true gender parity.
The persistence of such prejudices is glaringly evident in the backlash to recent developments within major sports broadcasting.
For instance, when rumours surfaced that a former female professional footballer was being considered to replace Gary Lineker as the host of the iconic “Match of The Day” there was immediate public outcry.
Despite her extensive credentials and experience within professional football, the reaction from many was dismissive, attributing the potential appointment to mere tokenism by the BBC.
This resistance raises critical questions: Why do male hosts not get the same reaction when reporting on female sports?
Why is the notion of a woman entering what is perceived as a “male space” so unsettling?
And more importantly, can these entrenched attitudes be changed, or are women forever destined to be viewed as secondary within the sports domain?
This scenario serves as a blunt reminder that, while women may have made considerable inroads into sports traditionally dominated by men, the journey towards full acceptance and respect remains a marathon away.
As the saying goes, “we can’t be what we can’t see”, without significant advancements across all areas of the sporting world, generations of women will continue to face missed opportunities and unequal treatment. So, what can be done?
To change, efforts must begin at grassroots level.
Despite increased participation rates among young girls in sports, disparities in funding, facilities and opportunities remain.
Research from the Women’s Sports Foundation indicates that, by age 14, girls are dropping out of sports at twice the rate of boys, primarily due to lack of support and access, as well as inadequate representation at higher levels.
The need for female role models extends beyond athletic participation. There is a critical demand for visibility of women in media reporting, coaching, and leadership within sports organisations.
The positive impact of visible role models was unmistakably demonstrated by the England Women’s Football Team during the World Cup.
Their performance not only inspired young girls to engage in sports, but also helped to shift public perception and media attention towards women’s football.
However, the celebration of female athletic achievements continues to be overshadowed by the prominence given to male sports.
Most sports coverage, coaching, and professional opportunities are dominated by men, leading to an environment where professional female athletes often contend with lower wages and significantly less prize money than their male equivalents.
The disparity is stark in sports journalism and media representation. Women constitute a small percentage of sports editors.
This underrepresentation of female voices in sports media not only distorts the narrative, but also diminishes the visibility of women’s sports.
The male results take the headlines, especially in the UK broadsheets. Their photos dominate the page, it is they who get the big interview.
On the positive side, several high-profile male athletes have become vocal advocates for gender equality, challenging misconceptions and biases during interviews and in the public sphere.
Andy Murray has consistently corrected interviewers when they have overlooked the achievements of female athletes.
Notably, during the 2016 Olympics, an interviewer congratulated him on being the first person to win two Olympic tennis gold medals. Murray corrected him, pointing out that Venus and Serena Williams had already won four each.
The Formula One racer Lewis Hamilton has spoken out against the lack of diversity and gender inequality in motor racing.
He has been critical of the sport’s slow progress in promoting women and minorities and has used his platform to call for change, highlighting the need for more opportunities for women in all aspects of motorsport.
Roger Federer has publicly supported equal prize money for men and women in tennis. His stance on gender equality in sports has contributed to ongoing discussions around ensuring that female athletes receive compensation equal to their male counterparts.
These athletes have used their visibility not just to excel in their sports but to challenge and change the narrative, promoting a more inclusive sporting world.
It’s crucial for both men and women in the sports industry to advocate for change. For the sports community to foster an environment where young girls see a place for themselves not only as participants but as future stars and leaders in sports. In this way we can inspire the next generation of girls to dream big and achieve bigger.
Lara James is on the road running sub-committee of Jersey Spartan Athletic Club. She has run 21 marathons, and has represented England Masters in the marathon distance
