One thing that surprised me in Episode Three of Tested was that women weren’t allowed to compete in the first modern Olympics. Even later, they could only join a few events. I also learned that many women had to go through unfair and embarrassing sex tests just to prove they were female. It showed how unfairly women were treated in sports.

Milestone: In 2012, for the first time in Olympic history, every participating country included female athletes on their teams.

Why it’s important: This marked a significant step toward gender equality in sports, showing that women finally had the opportunity to represent their countries.

Although it hasn’t directly limited my involvement, I can understand how it impacts others. I believe that being raised in a women empowerment environment is the outcome of my exposure to nurturing settings that promoted equal play for boys and girls. Some sports, meanwhile, are still perceived as “for boys” or “for girls,” which can make people feel as if they don’t belong or aren’t taken seriously if they participate in something that varies from those stereotypes.

I contributed cricket to the poll

The polling data could help me see if people’s views reflect these gender norm assumptions or challenge them. After completing the poll, I would learn that, despite its connection with masculinity, horseback riding is frequently perceived as a feminine sport. The vote recognizing it as “female” may be a reflection of perceptions that associate femininity with beauty and tradition. Examining the findings, I’d be shocked to see how this perspective differs from horseback riding’s past associations with soldiers and royalty, demonstrating how media and culture currently define its gendered image.

Katie Barnes makes a valid point when she says that “sports, by design, are not fair.” Sports are unfair in a lot of ways due to things like rules, physical differences, and access to resources. For instance, not all athletes have equal access to professional coaching or training, and some athletes have advantages like height or strength. I’ve found that being absolutely fair isn’t necessarily the goal of sports. In team sports, collaboration can sometimes overcome individual ability disadvantages. Athletes from wealthy countries may have an advantage over those from less wealthy countries at the professional level because they frequently have greater resources, such as better training, gear, and support. Sports are about overcoming these imbalances, and success often depends on how athletes deal with these challenges. Even if the playing field isn’t always even, it’s part of what makes sports interesting.