Women conquering the Olympic marathon!
Thanks to trailblazers like American athletes Bobbi GIBB and Kathrine SWITZER, the pieces fell into place for the inclusion of the women's 42.195 km marathon at the Olympic Games in 1984.
Marathon de Boston 1966 : Bobbi GIBB (USA) devient la première femme à courir et à terminer la course (sans dossard) (1966) by Getty ImagesThe Olympic Museum
Roberta GIBB, the first female rebel of running
In 1964, when the American powerhouse Roberta " Bobbi " GIBB watched the prestigious Boston Marathon, she had a burning desire to be part of it. But in 1966 she was blocked from registering – women weren't allowed! Refusing to take 'no' for an answer, two months later Gibb hid in a bush near the marathon start line, only joining the throng once the men had already started running. Gibb completed her first marathon in an impressive time, crossing the finish line ahead of two thirds of her male competitors. Unfortunately, her clandestine achievement remained unofficial. The same fate awaited her in 1967 and 1968.
Bobbi GIBB : Rencontre avec la femme qui a changé à jamais l'histoire du marathon (2023) by Comité International Olympique (CIO)The Olympic Museum
Bobbi GIBB
Let's meet the woman who forever changed the marathon's narrative.
Boston 1966 – Bobbi GIBB
In 1966 Bobbi GIBB finished the race in an unofficial time of 3 hours, 21 minutes and 40 seconds. She became the first woman to complete the challenging Boston course.
"I measured myself against the distance, not against the men. I wanted to test my own potential," explains Bobbi Gibb.
In 1967 GIBB took part in the Boston Marathon again. She crossed the finish line in 3 hours, 27 minutes and 17 seconds, nearly an hour ahead of Kathrine SWITZER, who was officially registered but was attacked by the race director. GIBB, running without a bib, faced a different kind of challenge. In 1968 GIBB took on the marathon once again, completing it in 3 hours and 30 minutes.
1973, réconciliation de Katherine SWITZER avec son « agresseur » de 1967, Jock SEMPLE. (1973) by BettmannThe Olympic Museum
Boston 1967 – Kathrine SWITZER
In 1967 American athlete Kathrine SWITZER managed to register for the Boston Marathon under the name K. Switzer. However, race director Jock SEMPLE spotted her in the pack. Furious, he attempted to tear off her bib and force her to stop. Her boyfriend, Tom MILLER, swiftly intervened and removed the aggressive director from the scene.
4 hours and 20 minutes later, SWITZER became the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon. However, she was later disqualified by SEMPLE.
Kathrine SWITZER and the Avon Circuit, 1978-1984
Kathrine SWITZER established an international road racing circuit exclusively for women. Between 1978 and 1984, the Avon Circuit introduced the joy of running to over a million women in 27 countries.
Podcast À la Croisée des Jeux
Kathrine Switzer: Fearless Marathon legend
The Women's Marathon at the Olympic Games The International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) urged the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to include the women's marathon on the programme of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 1984. With a growing number of female runners since 1975, women were finishing the race in good condition.
Manifesto by female athletes Received on 26 March 1980, this petition measuring 3.4 metres and signed by 389 women called upon the IOC to allow women to compete in long-distance races at future Olympic Games, including Los Angeles 1984.
Letter from the IAAF in anticipation of the final decision
The IAAF emphasised the medical evidence of women's endurance capacity, the increasing popularity of women's marathons, both nationally and internationally, as well as the continually improving records.
Official confirmation from the IOC: it's time for women to shine!
On 24 February 1981, the IOC President announced the Executive Board's positive ruling in favour of including the women's marathon on the programme of the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles! Three years later, the 3,000 metres and women's marathon made their debut at the Games.
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