WOMEN'S SPORTS
The History of Women's Sports
In the past, women were discouraged from taking part in competitive sports due to prejudice. This began to shift around 1900 when women began participating in the Olympic games. By 1922, the Women's Olympics were created, and women slowly began getting the same sports opportunities as men.
​A huge change came in 1972 with Title IX in the United States. Schools had to give girls the same sports opportunities as boys. In 1973, Billie Jean King won equal prize money at the U.S. Open, another big win for female athletes. The first FIFA Women's World cup took place in 1991. Just five years later, Women's Basketball began to rise with the formation of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).
College women’s teams jumped from 30,000 players to nearly 200,000 by 2012, earning more scholarships, coaches, and leagues.​ These milestones opened the door to today’s pro leagues and the growing attention towards women's sports.
The Fight For Equal Pay in Women's Sports:
Despite ongoing disparities, female athletes have made significant efforts in closing the gender pay gap through activism, landmark victories, and structural changes across various sports including:
U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team: After years of outperforming their male counterparts on the world stage, the USWNT filed a lawsuit against U.S. Soccer in 2019 for equal pay and treatment. By 2022, U.S. Soccer agreed to equal pay contracts for both men's and women's teams, a groundbreaking deal in global sports.
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U.S. Women's National Ice Hockey Team: In 2017, they threatened to boycott the World Championships unless USA Hockey addressed pay disparities. Their stand resulted in improved wages and support, and they soon after earned gold at the World Championship.
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Women's National Basketball Association: Leading athletes like A’ja Wilson and Skylar Diggins-Smith spoke out about income gaps compared to NBA players. In 2020, a new collective bargaining agreement increased salaries, improved travel accommodations, and boosted marketing investments in women’s basketball.​
AI, Women's Sports, and Sports Medicine
​Welcome to the first in our series, "Gen AI and the Future of Women's Sports." In this introductory episode, we delve into the intersection of Generative AI (Gen AI) and Sports Medicine, revealing how these innovative technologies are transforming the health and performance of female athletes around the globe.​
I am Dr. Rastafa I. Geddes, MS PhD. My expertise lies in Preclinical Neurotrauma Behavioral Endocrinology. In simpler terms, I study "Preclinical" animals, their "Neuro" systems, and how trauma affects their "Behavior" or functionality, as well as the role of the "Endocrine" or reproductive hormonal systems in neurogenesis and recovery after trauma.
What is Sports Medicine? How is Sports Medicine Related to AI?
Sports medicine is dedicated to preventing, diagnosing, and treating injuries associated with physical activity, incorporating various fields such as orthopedics, nutrition, and rehabilitation sciences. The integration of Gen AI elevates this field, allowing for enhanced precision in tracking athlete health and developing personalized recovery strategies.
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What is Gen AI?
Generative AI encompasses artificial intelligence models that can produce new content—like text, images, and videos—based on the data they have processed. In the realm of sports, Gen AI assists in analyzing player performance, forecasting injuries, and customizing training programs. This technology particularly benefits female athletes by providing tailored care and skill optimization.
We are excited to invite you to join our groundbreaking initiative: the Bibi and Dr. RAS STREAM Collaboration Project. Together, we can empower girls through innovative STREAM education and sports, paving the way for future leaders in science, technology, and athletics.