The 2012 Summer Olympics, a Victory for Title IX
The summer Olympics of 2012 were a great triumph for the USA athletes, and more incredibly, a statement of the effect Title IX has made on athletics in our country. Ironically, this year was the 40th anniversary of the passing of Title IX, which mandated funding for women’s athletics.
At the time of its passing, the outcry was that the premier collegiate sports, football, basketball and baseball would suffer as funds would be diverted to sports that were more suitable for women. That being considered, the US Women’s Olympic basketball team ran away with the competition.
While the current women athletes were not the trailblazers, the opportunity was made easier for them by the women who started the transition back in 1982.
In the 2012 Olympics, the USA women won more medals than their male partners: 58 of the 102 total.
In their respective sports, the U.S. women's team was more successful relative to its peers than the U.S. men's team.
Basketball: Women's team dominated en route to gold. Men's team won gold, too, but did not outshine its peers to nearly the same extent.
Soccer: Women's team won third consecutive gold. Men's team didn't qualify.
Handball: Here's our semi-exception. Neither U.S. team qualified, and neither was remotely close. We'll call it a draw.
Field Hockey: Women qualified. Men did not.
Volleyball: Women made second consecutive title game. Men eliminated in quarterfinals.
Water Polo: Women won first ever gold. Men eliminated in quarterfinals.
You can't explain those outcomes by simply gesturing to America's wealth or population size. Of course those are factors, but if those were the only explanations, then men's teams should find equal success.
After all, American male athletes enjoy the same demographic advantages as American female athletes.
What can be the reason for the difference? Simply speaking, Title IX!
Our American culture has the attitude that encourages female participation in sports at far higher rates than most other countries. America has created a culture of acceptance around female athletics that you won't find in many corners of the world.
The USA medal count, and behind every woman was a good man as well.
The 2012 Summer Olympics, a Victory for Title IX
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