“Win from a boy!”
This was the response of an Australian swimmer when asked about what had been the best part of the conquest of gold in the mixed relay of the Singapore-2010 Youth Olympics. The phrase, after the final, accompanied by a smile, had no offensive tone, on the contrary. It was spontaneous, coming from a teenager with a competitive spirit, something inherent in an athlete.
I saw the scene because it was there covering the inaugural edition of the games only for young people between 14 and 18 years old. It was fun to see them so excited about being in a competition of that size. I heard, more than once, that the future dream was to dispute the “Real Olympics”. Those mixed tests, with boys and girls in the same team, unpublished, were the embryo of what we see today in Olympic Games.
This week, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced the Los Angeles-2028 competition program, expanding the number of mixed events, which will be in sports such as swimming, athletics, judo, artistic gymnastics. It is also a way to increase the visibility of women’s sport and attract young audiences – as much as the inclusion of more fast and exciting tests in swimming, such as 50m back, butterfly and chest. Mixed tests have been successful in the games, as the final electrifying judo teams in Paris-2024.
For the first time in Olympic Games, places for women athletes (5,655) will surpass those of men (5,543) (note to critics: This is historical correction). There will be parity in all team sports. And women’s football will have 16 selections; The male, 12.
However, I think the IOC has to resolve the question of the participation of transgender athletes. Elected President Kirsty Coventry, who assumes in June and will be the first woman to lead the IOC in 131 years, stated favorable to banishment and said she wants to continue discussing the matter according to science. We will see how it will be in practice.
Nowadays, the decision on gender eligibility is from international federations. Each sport is different, but the lay viewer does not understand, and the fact that each entity can decide individually leaves an impression of inconsistency that always puts an asterisk alongside positive changes. The result is controversial, sometimes even unfounded and incorrect, which stains the credibility of the games. The in force model is not working.
At the same time, other issues regarding gender equality have been progressing. Olympic TV transmission has created rules for not film angles that sexualize the athletes’ body. There is more understanding of how to support pregnant competitors and advance labor rights and maternity leave policies, although in practice it is missing a lot. More women need to hold technical, management and leadership positions. The sport is mainly controlled by men who dictate what athletes wear, as they gain sponsorship. Representativeness matters.
Occasionally, I remember that final swimming in Singapore and Australian teenage swimmer, who is now close or over 30 years. I don’t know your name, but I hope you managed to participate in the “Real Olympics”.
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