CHARLOTTE COOPER

While individuals may encounter difficulties in life simply because of their gender, skin colour, religion or country of origin, the Games, with the diversity of the athletes who take part, champion the right to be different. Participating at the Games may not change the world, but it can certainly help make a difference.

CHARLOTTE COOPER (GBR, TENNIS) - 1870-1966

Gold in long skirts

The history of women at the Games began in 1900 in Paris.
Charlotte Cooper was among the 22 pioneering women competing at the Games for the first time.

On the court, hers was anything but a bit part, and she won two gold medals. A double victory which paved the way at a time when women’s sport had to prove itself:

In 1912, Coubertin still regarded women’s Olympic events as “impractical, uninteresting , unaesthetic and improper”.