Eyewitness To Australia: Women Athletes
When the Olympics first began in 900 B.C., women were not allowed to compete or watch the games. The penalty was death.
Since the modern games began in Athens in 1896, women have struggled to be considered athletic equals. Olympic Specialist Shelley Osterloh explains.
But things started to really change after about 1972. That's when Title IX was implemented in the U.S. Colleges and schools were leagally committed to improving sports opportuntiies for women.
Now, nearly three decades later, women account for one-third of Olympic competitors.
It seems in some ways the media and public started to pay attention to womens' sports only after Brandi Chastain celebrated the winning goal of the Women's World Cup by ripping off her jersey. She says it was a thrilling moment when she achieved her lifetime dream.
Brandi Chastain/U.S. Women's Soccer: "IT'S HARD TO PUT INTO WORDS THE EMOTION, THE JOY THAT GOES INTO FULFILLING A COMMITMENT AND WINNING THE ULTIMATE PRIZE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR AND DREAMING ABOUT YOUR WHOLE LIFE."
A dream came true for women basketball players with the creation of the WNBA. Each year more and more fans discover the excitement of women's basketball, something pioneers of the sport wished for decades ago.
Teresa Edwards/Women's Basketball: "WE DID WHAT SOME OTHER PEOPLE THOUGHT MAYBE COULDN'T BE DONE AND WE'VE DONE IT IN A GREAT FASHION. AND ALSO, THE WAY YOU DO IT, THE WAY YOU CARRY IT OUT AND WHAT YOU BECOME AFTER THAT IS ALWAYS BIG."
Changes are being made within the Olympics to include more women. This year, women's pole vault, hammer throw and trampoline gymnastics will be added as events. Jennifer Parilla is the only member of the U.S. bouncing team.
Jennifer Parilla/Trampoline Gymnastics: "FOR ME, IT'S A VERY BIG HONOR, FIRST TIME TRAMPOLINE BEING IN THE OLYMPICS PLUS ALSO BEING THE ONLY AMERICAN GOING THIS YEAR. OUR MALE MISSED IT JUST BY A LITTLE BIT; HE'S THE FIRST ALTERNATE. SO I AM MY TEAM. SO THAT'S KIND OF NEAT."
In 1932 Mildred Didrikson, affectionately called "Babe," tied the world record for the high jump by jumping head first, the way women compete today. She was penalized for the illegal jump and another woman won the gold medal.
Just like Babe's new technique in 1932, women athletes continue to change the way sports are played.
Michele Smith/U.S. Softball: "WOMEN'S SPORTS IS MOVING ON UP. EVERYTHING IS JUST FLOWING TOGETHER AND PEOPLE ARE JUST REALIZING THAT YOU KNOW, WOMEN'S YOUTH SPORTS ARE EXCITING TO WATCH AND IT'S GREAT AND IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE TO ALL OF US."
So how do women feel about their presence in the games this year?
Amy Palmer/Hammer Throw: "I MEAN, YOU WANT TO GO IN THERE AND YOU WANT TO PERFORM WELL AND SHOW THEM THAT THIS IS THE PLACE THAT WE NEED TO BE. WE'VE COME ALONG WAYS, AND WE ARE HERE TO COMPETE WITH THE BEST OF THEM."
This year the United States is sending nearly 500 athletes to Sydney, nearly half of them are women.
