Olympics | Alice Milliat - The Unsung Hero of Female Olympians
Alice Milliat BNF / copyright
History tends to forget its pioneers, especially the women who shaped it. Surprisingly obscure, Alice Milliat (1884-1957) emerges as a pivotal figure in 20th-century feminism. A pioneering athlete, she defied the prevailing sexism of her time by spearheading the first women's Olympic Games in Paris in 1922. Let's explore the heroic journey of this remarkable woman.
The annals of history can be unforgiving, often leaving out those who have shattered glass ceilings. Alice Milliat's remarkable story deserves to be rediscovered, for it was largely her tenacity that paved the way for women to participate in the previously male-exclusive Olympic events.
Born in Nantes in 1884, Alice Milliat's life took an unexpected turn. Married at a young age, she was soon widowed and moved to England. It was there that she discovered a sport which was a much more inclusive field for women on the other side of the Channel.
On her return to France, Alice had honed her skills in rowing, swimming and hockey, but she faced an insurmountable obstacle: the prejudices of her time. Sport was considered too physically demanding for women and they were effectively barred from international competition.
Undeterred, Alice Milliat fought a long battle with the International Olympic Committee and its founder, Pierre de Coubertin, who was adamantly opposed to the inclusion of women in the Olympic Games. In a famous speech, the Baron articulated his position: "We believe that the Olympic Games should be reserved for men. A women's Olympics would be uninteresting, aesthetically unpleasing...".
But Alice Milliat was not one to be silenced. In 1919 she played a key role in founding the Federation of Women's Sports Societies and two years later she co-founded the International Women's Sports Federation (FSFI). Alice went beyond advocacy; she took action. In 1921 she organised the first women's athletics meeting in Monte Carlo, followed by the first Women's Olympic Games in August 1922 at the Pershing Stadium in the Bois de Vincennes. Sixty international athletes from England, the USA and Czechoslovakia competed in front of thousands of spectators. The success of the event grew with four more appearances between 1926 and 1934.
This triumph forced the IOC to relent and open the doors to women athletes at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics. Despite her achievements, Alice Milliat still faced many challenges in maintaining the International Women's Sports Federation and securing funding. Afflicted by failing health, she gradually withdrew from the sporting world, relinquishing her position as president and fading into anonymity. Alice Milliat died in 1957, her legacy often overlooked but indelible in the history of women's athletics. In her memory, Paris has named the esplanade in front of the adidas arena in her honour.
Key Figures :
38 This is the percentage of sports licences issued to women, according to the latest research by the Ministry of Sport, which dates back to 2018. It's a clear indication that gender parity in sports participation is still a distant goal. Programmes such as Impact 2024 and Paris Sportives have been set up to tackle this issue.
Alice Milliat BNF / copyright
History tends to forget its pioneers, especially the women who shaped it. Surprisingly obscure, Alice Milliat (1884-1957) emerges as a pivotal figure in 20th-century feminism. A pioneering athlete, she defied the prevailing sexism of her time by spearheading the first women's Olympic Games in Paris in 1922. Let's explore the heroic journey of this remarkable woman.
The annals of history can be unforgiving, often leaving out those who have shattered glass ceilings. Alice Milliat's remarkable story deserves to be rediscovered, for it was largely her tenacity that paved the way for women to participate in the previously male-exclusive Olympic events.
Born in Nantes in 1884, Alice Milliat's life took an unexpected turn. Married at a young age, she was soon widowed and moved to England. It was there that she discovered a sport which was a much more inclusive field for women on the other side of the Channel.
On her return to France, Alice had honed her skills in rowing, swimming and hockey, but she faced an insurmountable obstacle: the prejudices of her time. Sport was considered too physically demanding for women and they were effectively barred from international competition.
Undeterred, Alice Milliat fought a long battle with the International Olympic Committee and its founder, Pierre de Coubertin, who was adamantly opposed to the inclusion of women in the Olympic Games. In a famous speech, the Baron articulated his position: "We believe that the Olympic Games should be reserved for men. A women's Olympics would be uninteresting, aesthetically unpleasing...".
But Alice Milliat was not one to be silenced. In 1919 she played a key role in founding the Federation of Women's Sports Societies and two years later she co-founded the International Women's Sports Federation (FSFI). Alice went beyond advocacy; she took action. In 1921 she organised the first women's athletics meeting in Monte Carlo, followed by the first Women's Olympic Games in August 1922 at the Pershing Stadium in the Bois de Vincennes. Sixty international athletes from England, the USA and Czechoslovakia competed in front of thousands of spectators. The success of the event grew with four more appearances between 1926 and 1934.
This triumph forced the IOC to relent and open the doors to women athletes at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics. Despite her achievements, Alice Milliat still faced many challenges in maintaining the International Women's Sports Federation and securing funding. Afflicted by failing health, she gradually withdrew from the sporting world, relinquishing her position as president and fading into anonymity. Alice Milliat died in 1957, her legacy often overlooked but indelible in the history of women's athletics. In her memory, Paris has named the esplanade in front of the adidas arena in her honour.
Key Figures :
38 This is the percentage of sports licences issued to women, according to the latest research by the Ministry of Sport, which dates back to 2018. It's a clear indication that gender parity in sports participation is still a distant goal. Programmes such as Impact 2024 and Paris Sportives have been set up to tackle this issue.
