The bar and line charts illustrate the number of male and female participants in the Olympics from 1924 to 2012, as well as the total number of athletes in those years.
Overall, there was a steady increase in Olympic participation over time. While male athletes consistently outnumbered female athletes, the gap narrowed significantly by 2012, indicating a rapid growth in women’s involvement.
In 1924, the total number of participants was approximately 3,000, with men comprising the vast majority. Female participation was very low, totaling fewer than 500 athletes. By 1952, both male and female figures had risen slightly, but men still dominated the event.
The most notable growth occurred between 1984 and 2012. In 1984, the total number of athletes reached around 6,000, and the number of female participants began to rise sharply. By 2012, total participation nearly doubled to about 11,000, with over 5,000 women and approximately 6,000 men competing.
