ABSTRACT
In ancient Greek society only men were allowed to participate in the Olympic Games; this held true for the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, as well. However, some 100 years later in Sydney 2000, 4096 women from all around the world competed in the majority of the 300 official Olympic events. Apart from top-level and professional sport, there has been also a dramatic increase of women’s sports participation on the recreational and amateur level. In the U.S., a crucial turning point was the passage of Title IX of the Educational Assistance Act in 1972, which required institutions receiving federal funds to offer women equal opportunities in all areas.61 Since that time, high school and collegiate female participation has increased by >600% to a total of 1.9 million female athletes.95
