Sisters are doin’ it for themselves. The Modern Olympic Games debuted in Athens 1896, exclusively with male athletes’ participation. In the following edition, Paris 1900, 11 heroines debuted in the world’s greatest sports competition, competing in Golf and Tennis. Women’s evolution in sport was gradual and, among historic facts and events, the London 2012 Olympic Games represent an important milestone in this trajectory.

Last sport to allow women’s participation in an edition of the Olympic Games, Women’s Boxing debuted in London 2012, setting off on the right foot and unveiling its first three female champions. Last year, on 5 August, ten thousand supporters attended the first female Boxing bout in the history of the Olympics in London’s Excel Arena, when Russian Elena Savelyeva, 2010 world champion, defeated North Korean Hye Song Kim in the flyweight division (51 kg).

The anticipation generated by the duel as well as the cheering crowd, who did not stop encouraging the boxers, showed why Women’s Boxing should be present in the Olympic Games. Moments after the first bout, two South American boxers entered the ring: Venezuelan Karlha Magliocco and Brazilian Érica Matos, who was ultimately narrowly defeated 15-14.

“I was the first Brazilian woman to participate in Boxing in the Olympic Games and I made history. Everything I did, I did it for the girls that are coming after me, for them to get motivated and feel comfortable, because it isn’t hard. You simply have to give it your all”, said the 30-year-old boxer.

Besides Érica, two other Brazilians participated in the London Games’ Boxing events: Adriana Araújo, who took bronze, and Roseli Feitosa. The first three female Olympic champions are: Nicola Adams (Great Britain), Katie Taylor (Ireland) and Claressa Shields (USA).

Increasing female participation

Women’s participation in the Olympics is increasing. When London hosted the Games for the second time, in 1948, women debuted in Canoe. In Helsinki 1952, they competed in Equestrian events for the first time. Recently, in 1992, they made their debut in Judo; in Atlanta 1996, in Football; and, in Sydney 2000, they competed in Weightlifting for the first time. On the other hand, there are still two women-only sports: Rhythmic Gymnastics and Synchronized Swimming.

Another remarkable fact was that all 204 countries that participated in the London 2012 Games had at least a woman in their delegations, including Saudi Arabia (judoka Woodjan Ali Seraj and runner Sarah Attar) and Qatar (shooter Bahiya Al-Hamad who was also flag bearer). The USA was also responsible for an unprecedented fact, with more female than male athletes in London 2012.