... were champions they decided to let her go. From then on all trainers had to be naked, like the athletes, so no other woman could sneak in again. Women did not let this hold them back. They have been competing in athletic games as long as men have. Since 776 B.C., while men had their own Olympics, unmarried women in Greece competed in foot races in the Hera Games. These games were held to honor the Greek goddess Hera, Queen of all the gods. These games were also held every 4 years, like the men's games. Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Movement, opposed women's participation strongly. He felt women's role was to provide applause for the efforts of men. Only men participated at the first modern Games in 1896. Women competed in all succeeding games due to local organizers efforts, not the IOC's decision. In the Paris ...

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