Women's Athletics

In the years following World War I, there was a period of upheaval. Many new ideologies began to spread, and the perception of women's sports also started to change.

The strong-willed activist Alice Milliat, an Englishwoman born in France, demanded the inclusion of women's track and field events in the Olympic Games. When the male-dominated International Olympic Committee refused, Milliat founded the Fédération Sportive Féminine Internationale (FSFI)  in 1921.

Mary Lines Dominates at the First Women’s Olympiad

International Sporting Club of Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco, March 21-31, 1921

In March 1921, the first Women’s Olympiad was held at the pigeon shooting range in Monaco. Four countries participated: France, Italy, Switzerland, and Britain. The standout athlete was the English waitress Mary Lines, who won the 60 metres, 250 metres, and long jump. Additionally, she carried the baton for Britain in both relay races (4 x 75  and 4 x 175/200 metres).

Later in October, Lines set the first FSFI-approved world record for 100 yards at 11.8 seconds in Paris during a match against France. This time is approximately equivalent to 12.8 seconds for the 100 meters.

The Women's Olympiads became a part of history. They were named the first international sports competition for women. Starting in 1922, the Women's Olympic Games began to be organized every four years, although the name was changed to the Women's World Games in 1926 due to pressure from the official Olympic Committee.

Results

• 1-3 (Wikipedia)

Online Stories

• Centenary of the first Women’s Olympiad (WA)

• The 1921 Women’s Olympiad: One Hundred Years of Women’s International Sport (Sky History)

• Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the 1921 Women’s Olympiad (Westminster Archives)

• Alice Milliat and the Women’s Games (LA84 Digital Library)