Many are hailing the first USATF-approved women’s decathlete championships next weekend as a big leap forward for women’s equality. But not everyone is convinced
Ninety years ago this summer the Times’ man at the Amsterdam Olympics sent a startling dispatch from the athletics. “The final of the 800 metres race for girls rather tended to leave the impression that such things should not be,” he wrote, barely cloaking his prejudice in concern. “The half-dozen prostrate and obviously distressed forms lying on the side of the track may not warrant a complete condemnation of the girl athletic championships but it certainly suggests unpleasant possibilities.”
Those “unpleasant possibilities” soon became depressing realities. The runners were merely tired after the race, won in a world record time. But the International Olympic Committee ruled that the 800m was far too tough for women – and promptly banned it from the Games for the next 32 years.
Written by Sean Ingle
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jun/25/olympic-games-women-decathlon-heptathlon-ennis-hill-sean-ingle under the title “Women’s decathlon: overdue game-changer or heptathlon killer? | Sean Ingle”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
