The growth of women’s distance running has frequently been distorted and constrained by the male-dominated athletics establishment. Unfortunately, some women accepted and even supported these limitations, which resulted in generations missing out on opportunities for greatness, leaving their potential unrecognized.
During World War I, women took on roles traditionally held by men. Having stepped outside the confines of their previous lives, many sought to engage in areas once reserved for men, leading to the emergence of women’s amateur athletics in Europe. In 1919, the Federation Feminine Sportive de France petitioned the International Olympic Committee to include women’s events in the Olympic Games, but this proposal was turned down. This rejection motivated women to establish their own Women’s Games.
The first major international gathering for women occurred in Monte Carlo in 1921, featuring representatives from five countries in eleven events. Its success led to a repeat in 1922, with increased participation and events.
By this time, the Federation Sportive Feminine Internationale (FSFI) had formed, comprising women from six countries, and had set regulations for women’s competitions. The inaugural Women’s Olympic Games took place in Paris, with teams from five nations participating. The event was marked by the breaking of eighteen world records, prompting plans for the next women’s Olympiad in 1926.
However, the International Olympic Committee and the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) insisted on a name change for the subsequent games. The Women’s World Games in Gothenburg proved even more successful than its predecessor.
Recognizing the growing movement, the IAAF voted to include women’s events in the 1928 Olympic Games, with a narrow margin of 12-5. The FSFI outlined a priority list of events, including the 100m, 4x100m relay, High Jump, Discus, Javelin, 800m, Long Jump, Hurdles, Shot Putt, and 200m. Ultimately, only the first four events and the 800m were sanctioned for the Amsterdam Games.
The final race of the 800m saw Lina Radke of Germany set a world record, yet many competitors, unprepared for the challenge, struggled under the heat, with six of the nine runners collapsing from exhaustion. The recorded humidity reached 93%. Notably, Paavo Nurmi, who won the 5000 meters at the same Olympics, also experienced exhaustion post-race. Despite these challenges, the IAAF concluded that it was inappropriate for women to show such fatigue. A week later, while women’s events remained, the number was drastically limited, with only six women’s events approved for the 1932 Olympics, in stark contrast to 24 for men.
This decision drastically curtailed women’s athletics, setting progress back by at least 40 years. In Britain, however, the 880 yards for women continued to be a fixture in WAAA Championships and the 800 metres was included in the fourth Women’s World Games in 1934 held in Britain. By 1936, the English Women Amateur Athletics Association instituted a mile championship for women, won by Gladys Lunn with a time of 5:23.0. This suggests that some authorities viewed the IAAF/IOC’s decision as an overreaction.
In 1936, the FSFI merged with the IAAF, and it took many years before the ten events proposed by the FSFI were accepted into the Olympics. Women weren’t allowed to compete in the 200 metres until 1948, and the controversial 800 metres was reinstated only after thirty-two years. The 400 metres followed with a delay of thirty-six years.
It took even longer to change perceptions regarding women’s endurance. Although women had set six-day and 1,000-mile records in the 1870s and had run under five minutes for the mile, it wasn’t until 1972 that the 1500 metres was included. A series of women-only marathons in cities like Atlanta (1978) and London (1980) significantly boosted the number and quality of female runners. National championships began earlier in Germany (1973) and the USA (1974), and the European Championships marathon was introduced in 1982. This momentum helped convince the IOC in 1982 to permit an Olympic Marathon.
Prior to the 1984 Olympics, the “International Runners Committee” fought for the inclusion of the 5000 metres and 10,000 metres, arguing against gender discrimination. While their legal battle was unsuccessful, it had a significant impact. Within four years, the 10,000 metres was added to major games, women’s walking races became Olympic demonstration events, and the IAAF began recognizing women’s world records in various distances.
In 1988, the IAAF acknowledged the 100km championships, which included a women’s race. Interestingly, when selecting the 5000 and 10,000 metres records, the IAAF chose those established by Paula Fudge (Britain) and Yelena Sipatova (USSR) during women-only races, overlooking superior performances by Loa Olafsson of Denmark in mixed races.
The major championship distance events of the 70s and 80s were largely dominated by Eastern block athletes. The push to expand running events opened up women’s athletics to a broader range of competitors, particularly from Africa and Asia.
Recently, the IOC/IAAF has shown a newfound commitment to women’s equality. In 1996, the triple jump was added to the Olympics, followed by the pole vault and hammer in 2000. The 3000 metre steeplechase made its debut in the 2005 World Championships. Notably, women’s road records are now recognized by the IAAF.
This shift raises questions about the motivations behind such changes. During the 1980s and 1990s, the sporting world underwent transformation as television became a dominant force, increasing funding from sponsors. Peter Matthews, editor of the ATFS annual, noted in 2002 that athletics needed to maintain favorable publicity to secure its position in the crowded sporting calendar.
The IAAF faced a challenge, as the excitement around world records was dwindling. In 2000, no world records were set in standard men’s events for the first time since 1907, and none were recorded for traditional women’s events. The only new world records that year were in new events: the triple jump, hammer, and pole vault.
To maintain interest, the IAAF began recognizing road marks as world records, despite previous recognition criteria that favored records from women-only events. The decision to accept records from mixed races where women were paced by men reflects a focus on commercial viability rather than on empowering women athletes.
Ultimately, the IAAF’s choices appear to stem from a reluctance to allow female distance runners the opportunity to compete independently and demonstrate their capabilities. The reliance on male pacers sends a message that women need assistance to achieve notable performances.
The challenges imposed by the male athletic establishment that have hindered the progress of women’s distance running for over seventy years remain evident. A century ago, Mary McMullen walked 92 miles in 24 hours, and nearly seventy years ago, Geraldine Watson completed 100 miles in under 23 hours amid adverse conditions. These women showcased the endurance potential of women long before many opportunities became available.
The ongoing struggle for women in athletics reflects the need for equal representation and recognition. There are still battles ahead, as women deserve the chance to shine independently, without the overshadowing influence of male pacemakers.
By Andy Milroy