International Women's Day: 4 times women in sport fought for their rights

As the world celebrates the achievement of women on International Women's Day, female athletes still have to fight for their space in the sports world.

The women in sports have been fighting for true equality almost all their careers, with some making it their whole cause.

International Women's Day, observed annually on March 8, offers a platform to discuss women's achievements while also advocating for their rights in every part of life.

Here are four moments in sports when women fought for better treatment in the sports world.

1.Finishing a Marathon

For years it was claimed that distance running could damage women's health, to the point that in 1967, women were banned from entering Boston Marathon.

To trick the system and hide her gender, Kathrine Switzer entered the marathon under the fake identity of "K.V. Switzer."

Two miles in, an official tried to eject her from the course, but she continued to race, becoming the first woman to complete the marathon as an official participant.

Switzer wrote in The New York Times in 2007, "We learned that women are not deficient in endurance and stamina, and that running require no fancy facilities or equipment."

Following her participation, women were allowed to enter the race in 1972 and by 1984 Women Marathon became part of Olympics.

2.Feminist icon wins the Battle of the Sexes

The founder of Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Billie Jean King made history in 1973.

Billie was always an advocate of equality in tennis throughout her career but the magnificent moment came when Billie won the big game against Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes.

She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009 for all the work she did for the rights of women.

King famously said in an interview, "Everyone thinks women should be thrilled when we get crumbs, I want women to have the cake, the icing and the cherry on top, too."

3. Venus Williams fight against Wimbledon

In 2007, after receiving immense pressure from Venus Williams and others, Wimbledon announced that women's tennis players would receive equal prize money to the men.

Prior to the decision, Williams made a failed plea to the organisation the night before she won the title in 2025 and in 2006, she wrote an essay in The Times of London titled, Wimbledon Has Sent Me a Message: I'm Only a Second Class Champion.

After the changes were made in 2007, she was awarded $1.4 million for her fourth Wimbledon victory, the same amount as her male counterpart, Roger Federer.

4. A career changing protest

In March 2017, the women's national hockey team announced it would boycott the coming world championship if USA Hockey, the sport's national governing body, did not increase the women's wages.

Meghan Duggan, the team's captain shared, "It's hard to believe that in 2017, we have to fight so hard just to get equitable support,"

"We want to do the fair thing, and the right thing - not just for hockey but for all women," the captain noted.

Less than two weeks after the shocking move, which had the possibility of ending their careers, the team reached a four-year deal with USA Hockey.

Along with that, the team received the same travel and insurance provisions that the men's national team did and a pool of prize money to be split each year.