With each Olympic Games, athletes are expected to set new records, but sport science experts question if we are approaching the limits of human ability. Yet, they might be overlooking a significant area of untapped potential: women’s sports.
The rate of improvement in female athletic performance is notably outpacing that of their male counterparts. For instance, between 1985 and 2004, female marathon records improved three times faster than those of men. This has led to speculation that women may eventually surpass men in endurance sports, despite currently having a 10-12% performance gap.
However, disparities in funding, visibility, and research have hindered the growth of women’s sports. For example, despite a £35 million investment in football by the UK government, only £3 million was allocated to women’s football in the 2022-23 financial year. A 2012 report highlighted that women’s sports were “sidelined, underfunded, and ignored,” with only 0.5% of commercial sponsorships going to women’s sports. More recent data reveals that 90% of sponsorships still favor men’s sports.
The lack of funding impacts career aspirations, with less than 29% of girls and young women aged 13-24 aspiring to reach the top in sports, compared to over 50% of boys and young men. However, increased visibility, such as the Lionesses’ Euro win in 2022, has positively influenced participation rates, with girls’ enthusiasm for sports rising from 50% to 69%.
The scarcity of research on female athletes further compounds these issues. Most sports research focuses on men, with only 6% involving female participants. This lack of data means that findings from male-centric studies are often applied to female athletes, despite significant biological and physiological differences.
For instance, research on VO₂ max—the maximum rate of oxygen consumption during exercise—often excludes women, limiting our understanding of female endurance. Studies suggest that women may have advantages like superior fatigue resistance, but more research is needed to fully understand and leverage these differences.
Additionally, the challenge of balancing peak athletic performance with motherhood further complicates the career path for female athletes. Research by Candice Lingam-Willgoss highlights a lack of support for pregnant and postpartum athletes, leading to premature retirements.
Positive changes are underway, with Paris 2024 being the first Olympics to provide a nursery and support breastfeeding athletes. This year also marks the first time there will be an equal number of male and female athletes. High-profile mothers like Jessica Ennis-Hill and Serena Williams are helping to break down barriers.
As the Paris Games approach, several female athletes, such as Jamaican sprinter Shericka Jackson and Australian swimmers Kaylee McKeown and Mollie O’Callaghan, are poised to break records. With female-centric approaches to training, recovery, and mental preparation, the full potential of female athletes remains an exciting frontier in sports.
