In a historic move towards gender equality, the Paris Olympics 2024 aims to achieve an equal number of male and female athletes competing at the Games. Although falling just shy of the target, with 5630 male athletes and 5416 female athletes set to compete, the representation of women at 49% marks an important milestone in the pursuit of equality in sports.

The push for gender parity at the Olympics comes as women's sports gain immense popularity worldwide. From soccer player Emily Sonnett to Olympic volleyball player Jordan Larson, athletes themselves are highlighting this momentous growth. Figures like Caitlin Clark, Simone Biles, and Nelly Korda dominate headlines, capturing the public's attention and generating enthusiasm for women's sports.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has played a significant role in promoting gender equality in the Games. The committee has distributed its quota places equally among male and female athletes and implemented measures to address sexist media coverage. The IOC also aims to improve support for parent athletes, recognizing the importance of accommodating athletes with children.

However, activists and academics caution that despite progress in the numbers, historic inequalities persist in various aspects of the Olympics. These include the underrepresentation of female coaches and attitudes towards women's clothing. Achieving gender parity is an essential step, but it is not the entirety of achieving true equality.

The IOC's strategy to reach gender parity involves revising the event program and introducing mixed-gender events. For instance, the male-only 50km race walk has been replaced by a mixed gender marathon relay. The organization is also promoting gender balance in broadcasting, with women's events scheduled during peak viewing times and an increased presence of female commentators.

The impact of these steps remains to be seen, as a study conducted during the Tokyo Olympics indicated that female athletes were more likely to be visually objectified than their male counterparts. While positive changes such as on-site nurseries for athlete parents have been introduced, female representation in executive positions and coaching roles still lags behind. Only 13% of coaches at the Tokyo Olympics were women.

Despite these challenges, women athletes are making their mark and demanding equal opportunities. Mechelle Lewis Freeman, the first female head women's relay coach for the USA's Track and Field Team, highlights the breaking down of societal norms that have hindered women from holding leadership positions in sports. Women coaches are also creating their own support systems outside of traditional structures, supporting one another through platforms like the Female Coaching Network.

The Paris Olympics 2024 represents a crucial moment in the pursuit of gender equality in sports. While progress has been made in terms of representation, the Games serve as a reminder that there is still work to be done. The IOC's efforts to promote gender balance in various aspects of the Games will contribute to shifting societal norms and challenging traditional gender roles in the world of sports.