The Olympic games have a long and illustrious history, stretching back from Ancient Greece.

During this period of time, however, participation in the Ancient Olympic Games was limited to male athletes only. The only way women were able to take part was to enter horses in the equestrian events. The first modern Olympic games were held in Athens in 1896, but no women competed because the main organizer, Pierre de Coubertin, thought their inclusion would be “impractical, uninteresting, unaesthetic, and incorrect,”  but the Olympic tradition grew.

Senior John Whitt said, “[The Olympics] are the most exciting games of the entire 4 years!”

This tradition had already changed, however, by the next Olympic games in 1900 where women were allowed to compete in lawn tennis and golf. It is commonly believed that the first woman to win an Olympic event was England’s Charlotte Cooper, who won the tennis singles title, but Swiss sailor Hélene de Purtales won a gold medal as part of a team in sailing earlier than this. But true women’s athletics and gymnastics debuted at the 1928 Olympics, increasing gender parity in the ultimate sports competition.

Over time, more women’s events were added and in 2012. Women’s boxing was introduced, resulting in no remaining sports in the Olympics that do not have events for women.

In regards to this change, junior David Mangum said, “I think its a really important step towards true gender equality in our world today.”

Equality in the available sports is one thing, but in many countries women do not have the right to participate in sports and the opportunity to participate in the Olympic Games. Prior to the 2012 Olympic Games in London, three countries had never chosen a female athlete to compete in the Olympics due to religious considerations: Qatar, Brunei, and Saudi Arabia. These countries, however, are planning to send female athletes to London in the next games.

The United States has traditionally done very well in women’s athletics in the games. During the 2008 Beijing Olympics, women and women’s teams won 53 medals; the same number of medals as the males.

In this first year of women’s boxing, the United States has chosen ten female athletes who will be coached by Joe Smith, who was the team manager for Team USA in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

He said “it’s an honor” to coach the women’s squad to create a new energy in the sport.” While the women’s team has been through a rocky start, going 2-2 against Canada, it will be interesting to see how the team does in the latest Olympic sport for women. Freshman boxer Catherine Rosenblum said, “I think [women’s boxing is] definitely long overdue. I will be looking forward to supporting our team this year in London, however.”

One thing is certain, however: the US Women’s team will certainly be near the top of the medal count in London.