January 24: International Women’s Sports Day

Celebrated every January 24, International Women’s Sports Day was created in 2014. It is the fruit of a collaboration between the French National Olympic and Sports Committee and the French Broadcasting Council. Indeed, after noting that women’s sport received very little media coverage, the CSA decided to establish International Women’s Sports Day. Its aim is to raise the profile of women’s sport and encourage women to take up physical activity.

If you’d like to find out more about this day, this article is for you. In the following lines, we’ll be revealing some information about this day, as well as the identities of a few women who have made their mark on the world of sport.

Origins and development of the day

The history of International Women’s Sports Day goes back to a collaboration between international sporting bodies and associations dedicated to the development of women’s sport. It stands out as a response to the inequalities that persist between men and women in sport. Its aim is to raise public awareness of these disparities. Events including women’s sporting competitions, conferences and awareness-raising campaigns are organized all over the world.

Why an International Women’s Sports Day?

It’s a way of saying that women’s sport is under-represented in the media. It’s also an opportunity to promotegender equality in sport and make women’s commitment visible. We see how often women bring home the medals, so it’s an opportunity to try and advance the feminization of sport, which needs it. The celebration of this day also highlights positive female role models, influencing young girls to get involved in sporting activities. And to pursue their athletic dreams without being blocked by gender stereotypes.

What are the objectives of International Women’s Sports Day?

This media campaign is structured around 4 main objectives:

• the development of women’s participation in sport
• the presence of women in sports governing bodies;
• the economics of women’s sport;
• media coverage of women’s sport.

The aim is to raise the profile of sportswomen, and highlight their impact on society.

Impact on the visibility of women’s sport

The introduction of this day has had a positive impact on the visibility of women’s sport:

• the number of hours devoted to women’s sport on television has increased.
• Several women’s sporting events were successful in attracting large audiences.
• 5.6 million viewers for the final of the women’s over 78 kg judo event at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.
• 4.1 million viewers for the Germany-France quarter-final of the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada.

These figures show that women’s sport is attracting growing interest from people all over the world.

Actions and initiatives to mark the day

Numerous actions and initiatives are organized to mark the day. These include

• Organization of all-female matches and competitions.
• Awareness campaigns to highlight disparities in sport.
• Workshops and seminars to train and educate on the importance of sporting inclusion.
• Awards and distinctions to honor outstanding female athletes.

Please note that the success of Women’s World Sports Day depends on a collective mobilization in which everyone can make a contribution. Schools, sports associations, the media and businesses are invited to get actively involved. The global community can contribute to the growth of this day and its positive influence on women’s sport by sharing inspiring stories and organizing inclusive activities.

Top 5 women who have left their mark on the world of sport

Discover below some of the women who have made a positive impact on women’s sport around the world.

Marie-Josée Perec

Originally from Guadeloupe, Marie-Josée Perec left her mark on the world of athletics before the 2000s. She remains the only Frenchwoman to have been Olympic champion three times. Known the world over, her incredible career makes her undoubtedly one of the greatest track and field champions of all time. Marie-Josée Perec achieved spectacular results in both the 200-meter and 400-meter events. For both men and women, she was the first athlete at two consecutive Olympic Games to win the 400-meter title.

Florence Griffith-Joyner

American-born Florence Griffith-Joyner is an athlete who has left her mark on the sporting world in many different ways. She has made a name for herself on many occasions. Whether it was her extraordinary physique, with its colorful nails of excessive length, or her perfectly sculpted body. On top of that, her death at the age of 39 took many by surprise. On the other hand, history will record that Florence Griffith-Joyner set world records in the 100 and 200 metres in 1988. These records have never been beaten since, even though they have been accused of doping.

Kathrine Switzer

The first woman to run the Boston Marathon in 1967. German-born Kathrine Switzer made her mark on the sporting world at a time when prejudice against women was even more pervasive. She asked her coach to let her run alongside him. It took courage and determination for her to make a place for herself in the marathon. This young girl managed to finish the race in 4 hours and 20 minutes at just 20 years of age. Kathrine Switzer’s story is one of an ambitious woman’s determination to carve out a place for herself in a society with many prejudices against women in sport, despite runners’ attempts to prevent her from going beyond this time.

Nadia Comaneci

This Romanian-born gymnast etched her name forever in her disciple. Nadia Comaneci obtained a perfect score of 10 on her uneven bars routine, aged just 14. In the Olympic Games, this mark had never been awarded before. This result helped her to raise awareness and appreciation of the sport among girls and boys alike. In all, Nadia Comaneci won 5 Olympic gold medals, two world championships and 9 European titles. Nadia Comaneci decided to end her gymnastics career at the age of 20.

Laure Manaudou

Swimming also boasts a number of women who have left their mark on the sporting world. Such is the case of French swimmer Laure Manaudou. At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, aged just 17, she won gold in the 400-meter freestyle. Laure Manaudou was to be in the spotlight for the next three years. She has won 3 Olympic medals, 6 world medals and 13 European medals. This outstanding swimmer has left her mark on the world of swimming, with numerous world records to her name.

International Women’s Sports Day is also a tool in the fight to reduce gender inequality. It inspires new generations by showing them that they can succeed in fields that were once dominated by men. Strengthening equality means recognizing the successes and challenges faced by women in sport.