Back to the Olympics Newsfeed

They Called It ‘Improper’ to Have Women in the Olympics. But She Persisted.

Credit...Sveriges Television AB

A century ago, Alice Milliat fought for the inclusion of female athletes in the Olympics. Her contribution, long overlooked, is now being recognized.

Credit...Sveriges Television AB

New

Listen to this article · 11:15 min Learn more

Reporting from Paris and Nice, France

  • July 10, 2024

It was 1922, two years before the last time the Olympics were held in Paris. On a warm August day, about 20,000 people came to Pershing Stadium to watch 77 athletes in track and field, including a team from the United States.