Evolution of Sport & Equality in Sport

Question 1

Why study the history of sports?

Answer 1

• cultural identity (how sport reflects and shapes cultural identity; ex. hockey in canada)
• social unity (sporting events bring communities together; ex. olympics)
• political influence (sporting events often intersect with politics)
• economic impact (sport generates billions in revenu and creates job opportunities)

Question 2

What is the relation between ancient civilization and sport?

Answer 2

• history of sport goes back at least 3000 years ago
• sports often involve prep for war or training as a hunter
• ancient Egypt: swimming, archery
• ancient Greeks: first Olympic games (wrestling, jumping, running)
• medieval times: jousting
• china: soccer and gymnastics
• aztec societies: basketball
• indigenous communities: lacrosse

Question 3

What struggles did female athletes face for equity?

Answer 3

• historically excluded from sports due to societal beliefs that prioritized their roles as caregivers & homemakers
• misguided beliefs: “women were physically inferior or too fragile for competition”
• institutional barriers: olympic restrictions & the exclusion of women from professional leagues limited their participation

Question 4

How was exclusion overcame?

Answer 4

• a century after women were excluded from the Olympics, at the 1996 Olympics, Canada’s team featured more female athletes than males
• the 2012 London Games marked the first time women were allowed to compete in every sport category
• the 2012 Olympics were also the first Games where every country sent female athletes

ex:
- Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA): established in 1997, grown to 12 teams
- Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL): began to play in 2024 with six teams

Question 5

What are some issues women still face in sport?

Answer 5

1) pay inequality - female athletes often earn less than male counterparts, even at highest levels

2) media coverage disparities - women’s sports receive less coverage, sponsorship, and visibility

3) limited leadership opportunities - women are underrepresented in coaching, executive roles & sports governance

4) unequal facilities & resources - many women’s teams receive less funding, inferior training facilities, and fewer resources than men

Question 6

What are some additional sport social issues?

Answer 6

• accessibility for athletes with disabilities
• LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport
• environmental impact of sport events (large-scale sporting events contribute to pollution, waste, and carbon emissions)