Women at the Games

A winding journey since 1896
by Julia Solans and Julien Moreau

128 years of history and Olympism gathered in a single work. It is not men but women who are honored. Throughout a winding journey, female athletes gradually find their place after more than a century of struggle. Silenced, they were simply banned from the first Olympic Games in Athens in 1896 before timidly entering in 1900. The following decades, driven by committed female figures, triggered a constant evolution toward greater acceptance of women at the Games and more generally in the sports world. While their rise is undeniable, many prohibitions and taboos still stand in their way. Paris 2024 stands out from all other editions, summer and winter alike, by becoming the first to have gender parity in the number of participants. But all the small victories celebrated over these years would never have been possible without the upheavals of History, from world conflicts to technological and social advances. Throughout the pages, Women at the Games intertwines sport and society, two distinct words that can sometimes become one.

THE AUTHORS

Julia Solans is a journalist passionate about sports, cinema, history, and loves telling anecdotes. After earning a degree in modern literature and a master’s in sports journalism from IEJ, she worked for various sports newsrooms (FranceTV Sport, RMC Sport, Equidia, etc.) before moving toward more general news while maintaining personal projects, starting with this book.
Julien Moreau is a journalist passionate about sports since childhood and a cycling enthusiast. Graduated in political science and international relations followed by a master’s in sports journalism at IEJ, he has worked for many sports newsrooms including L’Équipe.fr and Eurosport. In 2023, he wrote his first book, the biography of his idol: "Alberto Contador: El Pistolero" published by Talent Sport.