The bar and line charts illustrate the figures for male and female competitors in the Olympic Games from 1924 to 2012, along with the overall count of athletes during that timeframe.
Overall, there was a continuous rise in Olympic involvement throughout the years. Although men consistently exceeded women in participation, the disparity diminished considerably by 2012, reflecting substantial progress in female representation.
In 1924, around 3,000 individuals took part, with males accounting for the overwhelming majority. The presence of women was very limited, with fewer than 500 taking part. By 1952, participation from both genders had risen slightly, yet male dominance remained evident.
The most significant surge occurred between 1984 and 2012. In 1984, the aggregate number of athletes approached 6,000, and the influx of women began to accelerate. By 2012, this figure had almost doubled to roughly 11,000, comprising more than 5,000 female contenders and about 6,000 male competitors.