Women have been clamoring for increased participation in the Olympics ever since a Greek woman named Melopomene sneaked into the men's marathon at the first modern Olympics in 1896 and unofficially finished it in four and a half hours. Women athletes are still not on equal ground, but they are closing the gap. Step aside, guys Women will compete in both taekwondo and triathlon, the two new sports for both genders. And they will compete for the first time in a slew of events, including weightlifting, water polo, modern pentathalon, the pole vault, the hammer throw and synchronized diving. Only baseball, boxing and wrestling, remain men-only events.
Women compete exclusively in softball, synchronized swimming and rhythmic gymnastics.
The inclusion of women's events has been a priority for the IOC, and it has mandated that no new sports be admitted unless there are events for women within it. But as the Olympics expand y Stacy Dragila of the U.S. is the gold medal favorite in the pole vault. It's been a very long time needed. There are going to have to be some decisions made, and it won't be easy. Some say that militaristic events, such as shooting and boxing, which go against the Olympic spirit of peace, should be dropped from the menu, as should sports that already have their own world championship, like soccer.