Yes, the Olympics are over and what a way to close up shop counting in the greatest number of Women Olympian athletes ever. Of the 10,500 Olympians that competed in 2008, 42% were women an approximate 35% increase since the 1996 Olympic games. Along with 285 U.S. female Olympians the United Arab Emirates sent two women and the U.S. Virgin Islands sent its first female athletes ever.
It is not a fluke, however, the increase in women Olympians has been and continues to be a forward moving goal of the IOC. In fact, over the years the IOC has been adding events such as women’s wrestling (of which was awe inspiring this year), trampoline, and beach volleyball.
A standout example of progress in female Olympian participation came from Roqaya Al-Gassra finishing first in the 200-meter dash fully dressed in Muslim hijab (traditional garb).
While Nike may be the face of work labor controversy, Nike and Adidas are aggressively sponsoring and targeting women athletes as products for women are their biggest growth area internationally (sic).
Women running…..the world.
