Women Set to Outnumber Men at the LA28 Olympics: A Historic First in Sports
The inclusion of women in the Olympics began in 1900 at the Paris Games, where only 22 women participated—making up just 2.2% of all athletes. This marked the beginning of a long journey toward gender equality in sports. Over a century later, the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles will witness a historic shift: for the first time, female athletes will outnumber their male counterparts.
<strong>From 2.2% to Majority Representation</strong>
Women’s involvement in the Olympics has steadily grown over the decades. By the 1928 Games in Amsterdam, their participation had risen to 10%, and by Rome 1960, it reached 11.5%. In Moscow 1980, women made up 22% of athletes, increasing to 38% in Sydney 2000. The London 2012 Olympics saw this figure reach 44.2%, which then rose to 47.8% in Tokyo 2020. In Paris 2024, for the first time, women achieved full equality in representation, comprising 50% of the competing athletes.
<strong>LA28: A Milestone Moment</strong>
The Los Angeles 2028 Games aim to build on this progress, ensuring equal representation not just in numbers, but across team sports and individual events. Every team sport will include an equal number of women’s and men’s teams. In a historic change, women’s boxing will expand to seven weight categories, matching the men’s program for the first time. Women’s water polo will also feature two additional teams to ensure parity.
Interestingly, the women’s football (soccer) tournament will include 16 national teams, compared to 12 in the men’s tournament—another reflection of the Games’ commitment to promoting women’s sports.
<strong>New Events and Increased Inclusivity</strong>
LA28 will also introduce a variety of new sports and events aimed at enhancing the diversity and appeal of the Games. Cricket returns after more than a century, featuring both men’s and women’s T20 tournaments. Lacrosse will rejoin the Olympic program in a new, fast-paced six-a-side format known as “Lacrosse Sixes.” Squash will make its Olympic debut, and baseball/softball is also returning.
One of the standout innovations is the 4x100m mixed relay in athletics, a move designed to increase inclusivity and viewer engagement. In boxing, a new light middleweight division (65–70 kg) will be added for women, further enhancing gender balance.
<strong>A Celebration of Progress</strong>
These groundbreaking changes reflect the long journey women have taken to secure their place in competitive sports. The LA28 Olympics are more than just a sporting event—they represent the culmination of over 128 years of progress in the fight for equality. For many, this is not just a celebration of women in sport but a call to ensure lasting recognition and support for female athletes in the future.
As the world looks ahead to the 2028 Games, all eyes will be on Los Angeles, where the Olympic movement takes another powerful step toward true gender equality.