80th Anniversary of Women's Athletics in the Olympics - logo of photo exhibition (© IAAF.org)
It gives me great pleasure to introduce this Photo Exhibition, organised by the International Association of Athletics Federations in close co-operation with the International Olympic Committee, to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the first participation of Women Athletes at the Olympic Games.
The history of women’s athletics that is revealed here in these 53 photographs, commemorates some great sporting performances and marvellous human stories, but above all is a testament to the emancipation of women in society.
When women were first eligible to compete at the 1928 Games in Amsterdam, there were only 5 events on the programme, and women were also restricted to compete in a maximum of three individual events.
Over the years, thanks to the performances and campaigning of women in sport, and enlightened decision making, the women’s programme increased steadily. Between 1928 and 1960 there was no event longer than 800m for women, but since 1984 the Women’s Marathon race has been one of the Olympics’ major attractions. The Triple Jump and the Pole Vault were once considered too “dangerous” for women, but today one of the greatest stars of Athletics worldwide is the charismatic Yelena Isinbayeva – now the most famous pole vaulter in the world.
And finally, with the introduction of Women’s Steeplechase for the first time at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, the IAAF is proud to note that there is no longer a discipline in athletics which is available to men but not to women.
The women that are pictured here have written glorious pages in the history of the sport, but more importantly, they have helped to change the world we live in.
Lamine Diack
President of the International Association of Athletics Federations
