When the Olympic Games were held in ancient Greece in 776 B.C., women were forbidden to take part in the competition. In fact, if a women was caught watching the games, she was condemned and thrown to her death from the top of Mount Typaion in Olympia. Because of this, women tried to organize their own athletic events, but without much luck. This soon ended women's competition for two thousand years.

In 1919, Ethelda Bleibtrey was arrested in New York for taking off her clothes before going for a swim. This was her way of calling attention to the need to challenge the bathing suites women were required to wear-bloomers and a dress, which not only prevented women from swimming but kept alive the myth that they were too weak and would drown if they tried. She later went on to win America's first gold metal in freestyle swimming.

These are just a couple of examples of how women had to struggle to take part in sports. Women were not only kept down in sports, they were made to stay in the safety of the home.

With the recent start of the WNBA, many young girls have become hopeful for the future of women's sports. I interviewed Ashley McClain, 13, who is a basketball, softball, and former football player. Her all-time love is softball. She is aware that there are professional women's fastpitch leagues out there, and she hoped to play on one of them someday. She is hopeful that by the time she is old enough to play, they will be more well-known and get the salaries that men do. She says she would hate to have to quit right after college just because of not being able to survive on their pay. I also interviewed Tracie Clutter, 21, who had the chance to play on a professional fastpitch team, but was unable to go due to the low pay they receive. She would have to get a second job in order to get by, and she couldn't afford to leave the job she already had at home. So, her dream was lost because of the unfairness that remains between men's and women's sports.

The NBA hired two women referees in the past couple years, Violet Palmer Dee Kantner. Fans don't think they're capable enough for this job, they get criticized and harassed almost every game. Most of the players agree with the fans. For example, Charles Barkley said, "I don't think women should be in the Army, and I don't think they should be NBA refs" (Dionne, E.J. , Charles Barkley). There are many other players that agree with Charles, and there are some that don't, such as Michael Jordan "If they can referee, they can referee no matter what sex they are" (Dionne, E.J. , Michael Jordan). The NBA took a positive step in breaking with past traditions to give these two women a chance.

Many critics will say "girls shouldn't play boys sports." There is no such thing as separate sports for boys and girls. This is a myth that is taking a long time to die. Today, girls are trying and succeeding at every sport. This includes ice hockey and football which were once though

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1315
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)