Women in the Olympics

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The adverse topic of women in sports stems from society's disregard to viewing women as persons. Women were, and in other parts of the world continue to be viewed as property of men and have no significant role in society. Being allowed into the Olympics was a step in the right direction for women across the world, but it was meager attempt equality. Women were still restricted by what events they were allowed to compete in, how they were trained and coached and even limited as to what they could wear. A woman’s femininity played a large role in the way they were perceived by society; weak. Women were seen as incommensurate to men and it was something that has taken us centuries to reverse. Today, women are given the rights we should have been entitled to all along, but there are still inadequacies between the genders that separate females from fully being able to participate and engage in life the same way a male does. In this way, the Olympics are no different.

The Olympics have come a very long way in the past one hundred years in being sensitive and considerate of females, but there are still things that need to be addressed. The harassment and criticism the average female Olympian is receiving is ridiculous and completely unnecessary. These athletes are being judged by their appearances rather than their talent, skill, and dedication. Funding within the Olympics and in all sports in general is significantly uneven between the genders. Men are offered higher wages, more sponsors, more practice time and more adequate coaches; how are women able to compete with that? Also, Media coverage is a large problem and the deficit is increasing. Women receive less than 2.5% of all media coverage during the Olympics and that number is ...

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