Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
13th International Sports Sciences Congress, Konya, Türkiye, 7 - 09 Kasım 2014, ss.271-272
Purpose: In this study, alternative women games, which was one of the operational response they
developed against the efforts to prevent participation of women in the beginning with various cultural,
religious, social and biological reasons, was examined in terms of the effects and its consequences.
Method: Literature review of qualitative research methods was used in the study. In this perspective, data, periodical publications related to alternative women games, which was one of the tools that they
used to overcome obstacle in front of their participation in modern Olympics, was collected by
reviewing and interpreted.
Findings: Although “the inspiration from ancient Olympic games” was generally given justification to
Olympic gender discrimination that personally resulting from the philosophy of its founder, it can be
said that the perception of women related to Victorian Era, which the social class to which Coubertin
belong modeled, was the actual determinant. Hence, before the 1936 Olympics, in a radio conference
in which he explained the philosophical basis of modern Olympics for the first time, Coubertin
explained that the problem was related to social role of women by saying “…in my opinion, the true
Olympic hero is the individual male adult… I personally do not approve of the participation of women
in public competitions, which is not to say that they must abstain from practicing a great number of
sports, provided they do not make a public spectacle of themselves…” Even Coubertin’s opinion to
prevent women became concrete in 1896 Olympics; this would cause development of women
opposition and women taking stage with two branches (tennis and golf) in 1900 Paris without the
formal approval of International Olympic Committee. After 1904 Olympics in which only American
women participate, in 1908 and 1912, it was observed that the number of women participant increased.
However, participation “within the framework of men permitted” and “in the level that will not
undermine the current women perception” would lead Alice Milliat, who was the leader of developing
women movement, to create their own international sport organization and International Women
Sports Federation (FSFI) would be founded in 1921. After the first pioneering Women Olympics in
1921 Monte Carlo, IOC, which had a major concern in the face of positive effects of the games
organized on 20 August 1922 in Paris with participation of 77 Athletes from 5 countries and included
athleticism in the program as well on women, announced that international federations should take
control of women activities. The success of first women Olympic games forced IOC to negotiate with
FSFI about women athletics. According to negotiation between IAAF and Alice Milliat, 10 activities
would be given to women athletes, the control of women activities would be left to FSFI, the word
“Olympic” would be removed in women games. As a result of this, the name “Women World Games”
was used instead of “Women Olympics” in 1926 (Goteborg), 1930 (Prague) and 1934 (London).
However, in 1928 Amsterdam, Coubertin opposed to women’s inclusion in some athleticism events,
deterioration of two women in 800-meter was seen as an opportunity by the Baillet-Latour, the
successor of Coubertin, it was decided that women should participate in proper and aesthetic events
such as gymnastics, fencing and tennis, they should stay away from masculine events, and women
were expelled from 800-meter event in 1932 Olympic Games. The decision of Alice Milliat, who saw
that women athleticism events were not enough, to continue organizing Women’s World Games
resulted in inclusion of women in more athleticism events. As a victim of its own success, although it
was closed in 1938, FSFI, whose structure was designed and implemented by Alice Milliat and her
colleagues, would become a model for many independent women sports federations and clubs to
struggle with current authorities.
Conclusion: The participation process of women in modern Olympics evolved from the certain
prevention opinion of Coubertin to delimiting within the framework of men permitted, from this to
ultimately acceptance. While the struggles of IOC and IAAF to prevent women from Olympic games
with various decisions resulted in organization of women’s own games, “competing women” gained
interest and support of the entire world. Women’s World Games proved that women could be
successful in sports like men could, guaranteed the place of women in Olympics, provided increase of
participation and events.