Following a 1,500-year ban imposed by Roman Emperor Theodosius I, the renowned Olympic Games made their modern-day debut on April 6, 1896.
It may come as a surprise that just four years after the inception of the Olympics, the first woman earned a gold medal, despite competing in an era dominated by male athletes.
Helene de Portales was born in New York in 1868 to Isaac and Mary Barbey. Isaac was a prosperous Swiss banker, while Mary came from the wealthy Lorillard family, known for their ownership of the Lorillard Tobacco Company.
“Helene’s significant family connections and financial resources enabled her to enjoy a summer vacation in Bellevue, Switzerland, where she spent her days sailing on a yacht.”
Born in the United States, she possessed dual citizenship, which enabled Helene to compete for Switzerland in the 1900 Olympic Games.
Helene’s connection to sailing extended beyond her early years. After marrying Swiss sailor Hermann Alexander, Count von Portales, at twenty-three, she and her husband often enjoyed sailing together around Cannes and on Lake Geneva.
After nearly a decade of marriage, Helene and Hermann decided to register for the Olympics together. At that time, Helene was thirty-two years old.
The 1900 Olympic Games were notable as the second modern Summer Olympics and the first occasion that women were permitted to participate in the event.
The events took place in Paris and featured five categories for women: tennis, golf, equestrian, croquet, and sailing.
Helene made history as the first female athlete to not only compete in the Olympics but also to secure a gold medal, breaking new ground for women in sports.
She competed in the 1-2 Ton class with her husband and nephew while navigating the boat Lorina.
Helene and her team competed with the Lorina in two distinct races, each with its own scoring system. As a result, Helene secured a gold medal in the initial race and a silver medal in the subsequent race.
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“After 1900, the participation of women in the Olympic Games gradually increased. Over the years, this steady growth has brought the number of female athletes close to matching the participation rates of their male counterparts.”
In 1952, women athletes represented 10% of the total competitors. By 1988, this figure had increased to 25%, reflecting a significant growth in female participation in the Olympics.
In 2020, the Tokyo Olympics saw a record 5,400 female athletes competing, marking unprecedented participation by women. This milestone increased the female representation to 49% of the total participants.
It’s fascinating to note that Helene was the first woman to compete in the Olympics in Paris. This year, the Olympics return to Paris, making it a remarkable moment in history.
