History shows that the evolution of women's participation in the Olympic Movement has been increasing slowly over the years, after their first participation in the 1900 Olympic Games, and especially during the last 30 years. This evolution took place in a social, political, and cultural context where women's issues started to be addressed and led to major actions and regulations which recognized and defended women's rights at all levels of society.
Sport belongs to all human beings.
It is important to women and men as sport provides opportunities to learn, to experience success, teamwork, and moments of excellence. But sport is also a tremendous medium of communication and emancipation which can help build girls' and women's physical and psychological well-being and awareness and, hence, their role in society. Football match near Llallagua, Bolivia The Olympic Movement and the sports community at large followed this evolution and has progressively undertaken various initiatives to allow a broader participation of women in sport and in its administrative structures. As a leader of the Olympic Movement whose first objective is to promote Olympism and develop sport world-wide, the International Olympic Committee has played a complementary role to set up a positive trend to enhance women's participation in sport, and especially in the last 20 years. The IOC policy for the advancement of women has the goal of promoting women's participation in all domains of sport activities throughout the world.