During the nineteenth century, a common belief was that men
were naturally aggressive and competitive and women were emotional and passive,
making men better suited for strenuous exercise and sports.
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Margaret Abbot
Abbot, born in 1878 in India, won the nine-hole golf tournament with a score of 47. She is now recognized as the first female American Olympian winner. Golf was never played at the Olympics again.
Abbot, born in 1878 in India, won the nine-hole golf tournament with a score of 47. She is now recognized as the first female American Olympian winner. Golf was never played at the Olympics again.
Many women were
told that those who were too competitive and serious about either physical or
intellectual achievement were less likely to find a husband.
Changes like the women’s suffrage movement and the determination of female athletes led to a steady increase in both female Olympic participation and the number of sports open to women at the Games.
Changes like the women’s suffrage movement and the determination of female athletes led to a steady increase in both female Olympic participation and the number of sports open to women at the Games.
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Helen Wills
She played right-handed with great power, a skill she developed by practicing against men. Her nickname was ‘Little Miss Poker Face’ because she played with unruffled poise, completely focused on the game. This focus and her skills combined to make her one of the greatest tennis players in the world. At the 1924 Paris Games Willis won a gold medal for singles and doubles; she was the first woman to do so.
She played right-handed with great power, a skill she developed by practicing against men. Her nickname was ‘Little Miss Poker Face’ because she played with unruffled poise, completely focused on the game. This focus and her skills combined to make her one of the greatest tennis players in the world. At the 1924 Paris Games Willis won a gold medal for singles and doubles; she was the first woman to do so.
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Elizabeth Robinson
Elizabeth Robinson, born in 1911, in Illinois, was the first female gold medalist in a track and field event in Olympic history. The 100 meters dash was the first women’s track event scheduled and there were six competitors in it. Robinson was the lone American, a sixteen year old high school student. Only a few years before the Olympics when Robinson had been running to catch a train, a high school track coach noticed her from a window and suggested that she should develop her running talent.
Elizabeth Robinson, born in 1911, in Illinois, was the first female gold medalist in a track and field event in Olympic history. The 100 meters dash was the first women’s track event scheduled and there were six competitors in it. Robinson was the lone American, a sixteen year old high school student. Only a few years before the Olympics when Robinson had been running to catch a train, a high school track coach noticed her from a window and suggested that she should develop her running talent.
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Lillian Copeland
Copeland held three world records for the javelin 1926-1928. She was unable to compete in the javelin at the 1928 Olympics because it was not yet an event for women, but she did receive the silver medal in the discus event for her throw of 121 feet, 7.5 inches. She won the gold medal in her final discus throw with a distance of 133 feet, 1.5 inches.
Copeland held three world records for the javelin 1926-1928. She was unable to compete in the javelin at the 1928 Olympics because it was not yet an event for women, but she did receive the silver medal in the discus event for her throw of 121 feet, 7.5 inches. She won the gold medal in her final discus throw with a distance of 133 feet, 1.5 inches.
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Deborah Meyer
By the time she was thirteen years old she was one of the top swimmers in the world. Meyer made history by becoming the first swimmer to win three individual gold medals at one Olympic Games.
By the time she was thirteen years old she was one of the top swimmers in the world. Meyer made history by becoming the first swimmer to win three individual gold medals at one Olympic Games.
Through the changing societal and medical beliefs about what
women are capable of achieving and the bravery, dedication, and determination
of pioneering female athletes, women have made enormous strides since the first
modern Olympics when they were excluded from participation.