The Paris Olympics has faced criticism for not providing an equal presentation for the Women’s 100m finals compared to the Men’s.
American sprint icon Justin Gatlin has voiced strong criticism over the apparent unequal treatment of male and female athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
During a recent episode of the ‘Ready Set Go’ podcast, which aired a week after the Olympics, Gatlin, alongside co-host Rodney Green, expressed disappointment at the organizers’ decision to exclude the Women’s 100m finalists from a pre-race light show and grand entrance—an element that was prominently featured before the Men’s 100m finals.
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Gatlin, a 2004 Athens Olympic gold medalist, remarked on the disparity between the two races.
“Bro, I was a 100-meter finalist at the World championships when they had a light show in Doha, and watching the light show here in Paris, it’s amazing. Like, you wanna be a part of that. Why can’t the females in the sprints have that same thing?,” he said.
His comments highlight a sense of solidarity with the female sprinters who missed out on what many consider an essential part of the Olympic spectacle.
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Rodney Green, Gatlin’s podcast co-host, praised the directorial efforts behind the Men’s event but criticized the organizers for not extending the same enthusiasm and support to the women athletes.
“Everyone has worked hard to get to that finals. And we understand that some events might be a little more popular than others, but the fact is people are watching,” Gatlin added.
This issue has cast a shadow over what was otherwise a historic moment for the Women’s 100m sprint.
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Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia stormed to victory, recording a time of 10.72 seconds on a wet track at Stade de France, securing her country’s first-ever Olympic medal.
She was followed by Sha’Carri Richardson and Melissa Jefferson of the United States, who took silver and bronze respectively.
The controversy points to a broader discussion about gender equality in sports, particularly at events as prestigious as the Olympics, where every detail is magnified and scrutinized.
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Critics argue that such disparities not only diminish the experience for female athletes but could perpetuate a cycle of undervaluation in women’s sports.
The Paris Olympic organizers have yet to respond to these criticisms directly.