Gretchen Frazer | Alejandra de la Torre

"The Olympics: Sport is one of the sectors where women have been and continue to be most excluded. Even today, their achievements are often presented as secondary to those of their coach (if male) or their beauty, as we have seen in many headlines from past Olympic Games. Women have been discriminated against in sports since the inception of competitions, facing numerous obstacles, particularly linked to the socio-economic, cultural, and religious realities of societies. This led to the belief that they did not meet the necessary conditions to practice certain activities as men would, in addition to having to contend with ideas about inferiority, lesser physical capacity, effects on fertility, or the notion that they might become too muscular, all of which clashed with their gender roles. While some progress has indeed been made, women's sports remain practically invisible and lack significant support. Nevertheless, many women have achieved great things in sports history. Great fighters who have achieved and continue to achieve, firstly, women making their way in this world and secondly, not only making their way but also achieving great victories and feats, demonstrating their great capabilities, which have nothing to do with what we have been led to believe. In recognition of the struggle of all women and so that society knows their history, positioning them also in the place they truly deserve." -Alejandra de la Torre