Following the progress made in terms of female representation at Beijing 2022 – where women accounted for 44.7 per cent of competitors and 10 disciplines (out of 15) reached full gender parity – next year’s Olympics is set raise the bar once again with record-breaking participation and event equity.
Unprecedented representation for women
For the first time in the history of the Winter Olympics, 47 per cent of all athlete quota places have been allocated to women. The competition schedule also reflects this shift; of the 116 medal events:
- 50 are women’s events, the highest number ever included at a Winter Games;
- 12 are mixed-gender events, maintaining a strong emphasis on shared competition; and
- Overall, women will take part in 53.4 per cent of all events, another historic record.
The upcoming Winter Olympics will also introduce four new women’s events: freestyle skiing dual moguls, luge doubles, ski jumping large hill, and ski mountaineering sprint.
In addition, 12 of the 16 disciplines will feature equal numbers of men and women, the most balanced programme to date. And for the first time in Olympic history, the men’s and women’s cross-country skiing events will be held over the same distances.
A century-long journey
These strides have been the product of decades of incremental change. When women first competed at the Winter Games in 1924, they made up just 4.3 per cent of athletes and were confined to a single sport, figure skating. The introduction of women’s ice hockey in 1998 and women’s bobsleigh in 2002 were largely viewed major breakthroughs, paving the way for the inclusive programme seen today and highlighted by the IOC this week.
The Opening Ceremony
Gender equality will also be reflected on one of the Games’ most watched stages that’s broadcast globally: the Opening Ceremony. After the IOC encouraged nations to nominate both a male and female flagbearer, Beijing 2022 saw 73 per cent of National Olympic Committees include a woman in this role – and momentum is expected to continue in 2026.
With record female representation and our own Jakara Anthony OAM leading the charge, there’s never been a better moment to cheer them on.