PARITY | A Group 1001 Company’s Post

The upcoming Paris Summer Olympics mark a historic milestone: For the first time, we will finally see gender parity with 50% female athletes competing in the Summer Games this year. Further still than just the parity of women's athletes, the IOC has committed to supporting women's sporting events with prime-time coverage - "[Ensuring] that a gender-balanced number of medal events and total competition hours take place during those [prime global broadcasting] time slots.” Women's sports are seeing incredible growth and momentum, especially in the past few years. Viewership of everything from the Women's NCAA Basketball tournament, to tennis' Major Women's Championships, to golf's U.S. Women's Open have all surged in the past years. Even more, major broadcasters are beginning to understand the power of engagement with women's sports - making it easier to see and root for these female athletes. As quoted in the article, the Olympics showcase the power of representation: "Pro women athletes serve as impactful role models for young girls, inspiring a new generation of empowered female athletes and fans." As the Iron Butterfly Foundation, we are thrilled to see this progress - but we know there's still work to do in uplifting and empowering female athletics. 90% of sports sponsorships still go to men's sports, despite women's sports having 50% higher engagement. How have women's athletics impacted you or the women in your life? How are you supporting women's sports and gender equality? Share your thoughts below! #WomenInSports #GenderEquality #Olympics2024 #FemaleEmpowerment https://lnkd.in/eiK_7W8a

Great article by Shelley Zalis about one of the best storylines of this year's Olympics: full gender parity in participation. It also shares a few notable stats from a study that we at The Female Quotient did with Morning Consult that are worth a close look. It all builds to this truth: "Equal investment in women’s sports isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s smart business. The 2024 Olympics is proof that when you give women the platform they deserve, the returns are incredible. Sponsors, networks, and brands, take note: The future of sports is equal, and the future is profitable." As always, beyond proud to work at an organization with an amazing mission and purpose.

An interesting article from UN Women about the development of women in sport. Most notably, for me, is the rise in audiences for women's sport (thanks in no small part to the success of last year's football world cup), and the benefits that playing sport has for girls in other areas of their life, regardless of whether or not they go on to play professionally. All the more reason to invest in women's and girl's sport, to keep breaking down gender stereotypes, and to support equal coverage of sportswomen in the media so that female role models are accessible and visible. #womeninsport #UNWomen #equalcoverage #freelancewriter #supportwomenssport https://lnkd.in/gFTXCsc5

Paris 2024 is the first Olympic Games in history with an EQUAL number of men and women competing*🏅 This 50:50 representation of athletes makes it the first Games to achieve gender equality, More than a century after women were first allowed to compete in 1900. Equal investment in women’s sports isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s smart business. 💵 #GenderEquality is part of the reason brands are “paying so much” to sponsor the Olympics. The International Olympic Committee – IOC has 15 worldwide sponsors, with some paying over $100 million to join the Olympic TOP partnership program.** Visa, for example, has signed its ‘most diverse’ team of sponsored Olympians for Paris 2024, with 80 female and 67 male athletes. Simone Biles and Tatjana Schoenmaker fronted two of the biggest campaigns released this year by The Coca-Cola Company and its Powerade sports drink. In recent years, we've seen progress in women's sports regarding representation, media coverage, and women's health: 💰The Women’s NBA, was projected to bring in up to $200 million in revenue in 2023*** 📺The WNBA finals had their highest viewership ever, peaking at 1.3 million viewers.**** ⚽️The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup was the best-attended in history, with nearly two million fans.**** 🤰In June 2024, FIFA introduces measures to further protect female players and coaches (including maternity leave, full remuneration for menstrual health reasons and a family-friendly environment)***** 📸In 2022, Ally Bank made an ambitious pledge to equalise its paid media spending on women’s and men’s sports within five years.*** This data is proof that when you give women the platform they deserve, The returns are incredible! 🔁 Sponsors, networks, and brands, take note: “𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞.” *https://lnkd.in/eTR38nN7 **SportsPro: https://lnkd.in/ggGcErcU ***Women's Media Center: https://lnkd.in/gmzwSJVQ  ****SportsPro: https://lnkd.in/dGH92vvG  *****BBC: https://lnkd.in/e57WUAqh   #WomenInData #WomenInSport #Paris2024 #Olympics #Equality #GenderParity

💚 💛 💚 Like many, I’ve spent the last week or so avidly watching the Olympic Games with my family at all sorts of weird and wonderful hours. It’s been wonderful to see a return to live crowds (post Tokyo’s COVID circumstances), and the accompanying imagery of families and fans cheering on competitors from every country. It’s also been fantastic to see the increasing swell of support and recognition of female athletes, noting that Paris is the first Olympics with gender parity in participation. Australia’s female athletes have also been incredibly successful, with Emma McKeon and Jess Fox making history as some of our most successful Olympians. Whilst the games haven’t been without instances of outdated sexist behaviour, media coverage, and commentary (thanks Bob Ballard!), positively, it appears that such occurrences have been recognized and speedily addressed. As this US-based article highlights, “...The Olympics stands as a testament to the power of equal opportunity, showcasing that women’s sports not only deserve the same spotlight and admiration but lead the charge in fandom and recognition.” And as author, Shelley Zalis, notes, “…equal investment in women’s sports isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s smart business. The 2024 Olympics is proof that when you give women the platform they deserve, the returns are incredible. Sponsors, networks, and brands, take note: The future of sports is equal, and the future is profitable.” Here’s to the ongoing success of all female athletes in coming days! #genderequity #genderequality

🥇🥇The 2024 Olympics Is Here and Breaking Barriers as Gender Equality is Finally Achieved in these Games 🏃🏾♀️🏃 Today, the Olympics Paris 2024 officially kicks off with the opening ceremonies. For the first time in Olympic history, an equal number of men and women will compete. The number of women participating in the Olympics has been on a steady upward trajectory, from 34% at the 1994 Games to 48% at Tokyo 2020, culminating in an unprecedented 50/50 split at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. The Facts: ➡️This milestone marks a significant achievement for women's sports and female athletes, who have recently seen a meteoric rise in visibility and engagement. Team USA track and field athlete Chari Hawkins shared her thoughts: "For so long, the spotlight often felt uneven, and frankly, it wasn't uncommon to hear whispers about the legitimacy of women's athletics. Having an equal number of competitors on the field this year completely changes that narrative, and I am honored to be a part of it." Hawkins is sharing a sentiment that female athletes across the globe are currently feeling and continuing to fight for equal opportunities and representation. ➡️The International Olympic Committee – IOC has been striving for equality for years, with the creation of the Women and Sport Working Group in 1995. Female athletes made up a mere 2.2% of total athletes in the 1900 Olympics, the first Olympics they were allowed to compete in a balanced representation in 28 out of 32 sports at Paris 2024. New mixed-gender events are being added to promote diversity further. It’s been a long road to equality. Why this is important: ➡️These changes are a net positive for the athletes and potential sponsors and brands. Partnering with female athletes or teams can now attract millions of new viewers, a previously untapped audience. Even commercials during female team events can drive significant growth and sales, thanks to the increased interest in the Olympics. ➡️At 125 Ventures, we believe gender equality in the Paris Olympics is a monumental step forward for women's sports. This achievement is one of many signs that women's sports and their players are on the rise, both culturally and economically. From the Olympics to the WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association)'s breakout stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, and industry leaders like The Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger and Willow Bay recently acquired Angel City Football Club, which is now the most valuable women’s sports franchise, the future looks incredibly bright for women's sports. We’re excited to see where this journey leads next. cc: Heidi Diamond, Crystal Fisher, Logan Santin, Trina Eastman, Getsemani Rodriguez, and Michelle Mammen #Womenssports #Olympics #GenderEquality #ParisOlympics

#TakeActionTuesday: The world’s BIGGEST sporting event is almost here! As the 2024 Paris Olympic Games begin this Friday, we celebrate all the progress made to accomplish a diverse and gender equitable event. Some notable achievements include:    - For the first time in the Games’ history, the IOC is projecting there will be an equal percentage of women and men competing at the Olympics.  - WSF 2021 Sportswoman of the Year, Allyson Felix has teamed up with Pampers to provide a nursery for athlete moms in the Olympic Village.  - For the second consecutive Olympic Games, the number of openly LGBTQ+ athletes are in the triple digits.    As we celebrate these achievements and the continued push toward equity, it is important to acknowledge that there is still much work to be done. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, women athletes had less opportunities to compete with 46 events, while men had 51 events. Despite projected gender parity in athlete representation this year, women remain underrepresented as Olympic coaches. At the Tokyo Games, only 13% of all coaches were women; and as for the U.S. roster, the percentage was only slightly higher at 21.1%.    While the progress made is promising and shows that an inclusive future is possible, to truly achieve gender equity in sports and beyond, we must address these disparities and continue to advocate for change. #TheEquityProject    Your Turn:  1. Read our research report “Chasing Equity: The Triumphs, Challenges and Opportunities in Sports for Girls and Women” at the link in our bio to learn about the current sports landscape experienced by the girls and women competing in the Olympics and beyond. https://lnkd.in/g5H4v33p 2. Consider coaching a local youth league in your area! Check out our We Play Interactive guide on our website to learn how to create an environment where all girls can thrive. https://lnkd.in/eNrPsvrU 3. Cheer on all the incredible athletes competing in the upcoming weeks by hosting a #ParisOlympics watch party with your friends and family!

124 years ago in Paris, France women made their debut in the Olympic games just making up 4.4% of the athletes accounting for 135 out of 3,089. This year the International Olympic Committee (or IOC) set a goal of a 50-50 split however, a recent estimate shows that these numbers may fall short Of the 11,046 athletes, 5,630 are registered to compete in men’s events and 5,416 in women’s events, resulting in a 51- 49% split. While not a perfect split, women accounting for 49% of the total athlete population still represents another step toward gender equality in sports. Celebrating this milestone is important but it's also important to have an accurate measure of where we are to know what work still needs to be done. 💪 Here’s to supporting women in sports during the Olympics and all year!🎉🎉🎉 Check out some of these other equality benchmarks being made in women’s sports: Approximately 35 female commentators have been hired by the Olympic Broadcasting Services for Paris 2024, raising the percentage of female commentators to nearly 40 percent—a nearly 80 percent increase compared to Tokyo 2020 and over 200 percent from Rio 2016. Audiences of female sports are booming. The FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023 was the most viewed women’s sports event in history with a global audience of nearly 2 billion viewers. Women athletes wield significantly more influence compared to other types of influencers. Eighty-eight percent regard pro women athletes as impactful role models for young women. Read more about the 51-49 split here:https://lnkd.in/ekdG62rY #sports #womensports #olympics #athletes #womenathletes #women

Reflecting on the recent article from the NCAA about women's participation in the Olympics, I am filled with immense pride and optimism for the future of women in sports. The journey towards gender parity in the Olympic Games mirrors the struggles and triumphs we've experienced across all spheres of society, and the upcoming 2024 Paris Games mark a historic milestone with full gender parity: 5,250 men and 5,250 women athletes. This is a testament to the resilience, determination, and incredible talent of women athletes worldwide. The 2024 Games, hosting for the third time in Paris, where women first competed in the Olympics in 1900, symbolizes how far we have come from the 22 women who paved the way for us among 997 athletes. It's a celebration of progress, marking the first Olympics to achieve full gender parity, a goal long strived for by many, including myself, both on and off the field. Team USA's remarkable journey of increased female participation, greatly aided by Title IX, showcases the transformative power of providing equal opportunities for women in sports. The law's enactment in 1972 and the subsequent 310% increase in female participation on summer U.S. Olympic rosters highlight the vital role of legislation in leveling the playing field. The NCAA has been instrumental in this journey, serving as a formidable pipeline for Team USA, with 70% of the women at the 2020 Games having NCAA ties. It's incredible to see how college sports have not only fostered Olympic champions but have also been a cradle for leadership and excellence beyond the sporting arenas. Women like Jenny Thompson, Dara Torres, and Natalie Coughlin, and legends like Dawn Staley, exemplify the brilliance and resilience of NCAA athletes who have ascended to Olympic glory, setting the gold standard in their respective fields. As we look towards Paris 2024, it's clear that the fight for gender equality in sports and beyond continues to be a relay race of endurance, passed from one generation to the next. We celebrate every milestone, every victory, knowing that each step forward is a stride towards a more inclusive and equitable world. Let Paris 2024 be a beacon of hope, a mirror reflecting not only gender parity but the boundless potential of women in sports. As we cheer for these incredible athletes, let's also commit to nurturing the next generation, ensuring the legacy of female empowerment, leadership, and excellence continues to shine brightly. 👉 Article link: https://lnkd.in/dvr_nNFZ #GenderParity #Olympics2024 #WomenInSports #NCAAtoOlympics #Empowerment

Reflecting on the recent article from the NCAA about women's participation in the Olympics, I am filled with immense pride and optimism for the future of women in sports. The journey towards gender parity in the Olympic Games mirrors the struggles and triumphs we've experienced across all spheres of society, and the upcoming 2024 Paris Games mark a historic milestone with full gender parity: 5,250 men and 5,250 women athletes. This is a testament to the resilience, determination, and incredible talent of women athletes worldwide. The 2024 Games, hosting for the third time in Paris, where women first competed in the Olympics in 1900, symbolizes how far we have come from the 22 women who paved the way for us among 997 athletes. It's a celebration of progress, marking the first Olympics to achieve full gender parity, a goal long strived for by many, including myself, both on and off the field. Team USA's remarkable journey of increased female participation, greatly aided by Title IX, showcases the transformative power of providing equal opportunities for women in sports. The law's enactment in 1972 and the subsequent 310% increase in female participation on summer U.S. Olympic rosters highlight the vital role of legislation in leveling the playing field. The NCAA has been instrumental in this journey, serving as a formidable pipeline for Team USA, with 70% of the women at the 2020 Games having NCAA ties. It's incredible to see how college sports have not only fostered Olympic champions but have also been a cradle for leadership and excellence beyond the sporting arenas. Women like Jenny Thompson, Dara Torres, and Natalie Coughlin, and legends like Dawn Staley, exemplify the brilliance and resilience of NCAA athletes who have ascended to Olympic glory, setting the gold standard in their respective fields. As we look towards Paris 2024, it's clear that the fight for gender equality in sports and beyond continues to be a relay race of endurance, passed from one generation to the next. We celebrate every milestone, every victory, knowing that each step forward is a stride towards a more inclusive and equitable world. Let Paris 2024 be a beacon of hope, a mirror reflecting not only gender parity but the boundless potential of women in sports. As we cheer for these incredible athletes, let's also commit to nurturing the next generation, ensuring the legacy of female empowerment, leadership, and excellence continues to shine brightly. 👉 Article link: https://lnkd.in/dAg-i-DX #GenderParity #Olympics2024 #WomenInSports #NCAAtoOlympics #Empowerment