Women have participated in sports for centuries, yet their involvement was often discouraged or restricted. In many societies, physical competition was deemed inappropriate for women, based on cultural norms and pseudoscientific beliefs regarding physical capability.
During the early Olympic Games and professional sporting eras, women were excluded from most events or allowed limited participation. When women did compete, their sports received minimal institutional support and were often framed as inferior versions of men’s competitions.
This historical marginalization established long-term erotic disparities in infrastructure, funding, and public perception that continue to influence women’s sports today.