Historical evolution of women's athletics and the 130th anniversary of the Pan-Cyprian Games

Athletics has undergone significant changes over the last century, influenced by technological advancements and shifting social norms regarding gender participation. Women first competed in the Olympic Games in 1928 in Amsterdam, while the first Cypriot female participation occurred at the 1928 Pan-Cyprian Games in Larnaca. Domnitsa Lanitou from Limassol became the first Greek woman to compete in the Olympics during the 1936 Berlin Games. The inaugural Pan-Cyprian Women's Games took place on April 5, 1952, at the GSE stadium. Statistics show that the majority of modern athletic records are set in the 21st century, with only three records from the 20th century remaining in the list of top 20 Olympic events. Maroula Lambrou-Teloni is highlighted as a top 20th-century athlete, holding records in the long jump and heptathlon. Additionally, the year 2024 marks the 130th anniversary of the founding of the International Olympic Committee and the first modern Olympic Games held in Athens in 1896.