The bar and line charts illustrate the number of male and female competitors in the Olympics from 1924 to 2012, along with the overall total of athletes during this period.
Overall, there was a steady increase in Olympic participation over time. While male participants 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. Women’s presence was minimal, numbering fewer than 500 competitors. 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 combined total of athletes reached around 6,000, and the number of female entrants began to rise sharply. By 2012, overall participation nearly doubled to about 11,000, with over 5,000 women and approximately 6,000 men competing.
