Why Was the First Modern Olympics in 1896 Only for Male Athletes?

💡 The Answer

• Founder Pierre de Coubertin believed women's participation would be 'uninteresting and unaesthetic.'
• The 1896 Games followed ancient tradition, which excluded women.
• Women's events were gradually added, but full inclusion took decades.
• The 1900 Paris Olympics allowed women in a few sports, but only in 2012 did every nation send female athletes.