Olympic Glory for Women in 2010 Games

By Caitlin Endyke

Two days after the closing ceremonies, I can’t help but sense those familiar feelings that come at the end of every Olympiad. Glory for games won, disappointment for hard losses and a general sense of “what’s next?” when I can no longer fill my days with curling matches, alpine races, and those VISA commercials with Morgan Freeman that always leave me inspired and chanting “Go World”. As we begin counting down the days until London 2012, I’m reflecting on what this past Olympiad has brought us, and how far women have come since they were allowed to compete in their first Olympic Games in 1900.

Only 19 female athletes competed that first year in France, but they forged a path along which thousands of women would follow. When the Winter Games were introduced in 1924, 11 women competed for the elusive Olympic Gold. While at first women were only allowed to compete in figure skating, the 1950s and 1960s brought a surge toward equality, and by the 1970s women were allowed to compete in almost every event. Major exceptions to this were bobsledding and hockey; to which women were admitted in 2002 and 1998, respectively. While some events vary between the men’s and women’s competition in distance and course difficulty, the only event that remains male-only is Ski Jumping.

No doubt, the Vancouver Games got off to a rocky start when the International Olympic Commission continued to refuse to allow women to compete in Ski Jumping. Amidst a swarm of public outcry, the IOC listed the lack of elite female competition as its main reason for keeping the event a men-only contest. Yet certain facts (that women compete in Ski Cross even though it has fewer international competitors, for instance) seemed to suggest that there was more behind the decision. Many commentators noted the cultural designation of ski jumping as a “macho” sport, a description that would surely change should women be allowed to compete on the same level. Perhaps this was the real reason the IOC refused to admit women Jumpers on the Olympic course? Either way, the female competitors will rally for admission once again for the 2014 games in Sochi, Russia.

So while some female athletes were barred from competition, those who were able to go for gold illustrated exactly what it meant to be a female athlete.

The Games began with a focus on an injured Lindsey Vonn. An early favorite in the alpine skiing events, she bruised her shin during a training run before the Games officially began. Many questioned whether or not she would be able to compete. But with a little help from inclement weather that caused officials to postpone her first race, Vonn, in a burst of determination and strength, went on to become the first American woman to win gold in the Olympic Downhill.

Then, with the weight of her country on her shoulders, Korean figure skater Kim Yu-na jumped, twirled, and glided her way to gold at only 19 years old. Demonstrating extreme grace under pressure, she skated a perfect program in what is one of the most popular Winter Olympic events

Again in the figure skating arena, the world watched as Canadian Joannie Rochette competed just days after the sudden death of her mother. After an emotional short program placed her in third, Rochette told NBC’s Bob Costas that she knew she needed to separate Joannie the daughter from Joannie the athlete. She focused on her years of training and left her emotions off the ice in order to skate a long program that earned her the bronze medal and the adulation of her countrymen and women.

Rochette’s fellow Canadian Kristie Moore also received a swarm of attention at these Olympic Games as she became the most pregnant Olympian to ever compete. Originally an alternate for the Canadian women’s curling team, Moore was called up to compete towards the end of Canada’s blowout match against Sweden. The Vancouver Sun wrote of Moore, who is almost six months pregnant, noting that “the mom-to-be had made a subtle point that pregnancy doesn’t have to be a limitation or a suspension of a woman’s dreams”.

As it always seems to go, women were the stars of the Games. In a world that sometimes questions our collective competitiveness and athleticism; Olympic viewers can’t seem to take their eyes off the accomplishments of female athletes from across the globe. And the accomplishments were numerous. US women brought home 13 of America’s 37 total Olympic medals. Canadian women proved to “own the podium”, and won more medals than their male counterparts for the third Olympiad in a row. At every Olympic Games we are reminded of how the Olympics stand for so much more than sports. The Games are often used as a platform for social commentary, a demonstration of political prowess, and an arena for forging international bonds. And every Olympiad gives us as women the opportunity to demonstrate the poise, determination, and strength that make us outstanding athletes and accomplished leaders on the world stage.