For the first time, the U.S. Olympic team will have more women than men, with female athletes accounting for 269 of the 530 spots American will take at the upcoming London Games. The USOC released its official roster Tuesday. CEO Scott Blackmun said the female majority was “a true testament to the impact of Title IX,” the law that increased opportunities for women in sports, which celebrated its 40th anniversary this year. The United States will be represented in 25 sports (38 disciplines) and 246 of the 302 medal events that will be contested in London.

Gender equality London 2012

Kate Lane, Special Advisor to the International Working Group on Women in Sport writes" "For the third time in history, the Olympic Games will be hosted by London, having hosted the Games previously in 1908 and 1948. In 1908 male athletes outnumbered female athletes 53 to 1. In 1948 the ratio had decreased to 10 to 1. The number of men and women participating in the 2012 Olympic Games approaches parity, though men will still outnumber women by 1,114, according to projections. Nevertheless, IOC President Jacque Rogge deserves appraise for actively promoting equal participation by men and women during his term of office." [To read the whole article click here]

Article in The Independent: Ladies first: Why 2012 is the Women's Games

Gender equality and paddle sports

Still a (long) way to go as we all know but we at Sportscene feel there is momentum building. Soon you can expect one or more video features we are producing, where we will discuss this theme with the policy makers, athletes and coaches. Below a collage of several interviews we conducted around this theme in La Seu d'Urgell, Spain. More media will be produced in Wausau at the Junior & U23 World Championships. Stay tuned!