Rowing for Equality

Every year since 1829 two well known English universities (Oxford and Cambridge) compete in a 4.5 mile boat race on the River Thames. But for 35 years, the women teams have competed in a separate, shorter, race a little farther down the river. However, a recent article in the sports section of The Washington Post claims that women are to now receive “equal billing” for their race. More importantly, by 2015, the women’s race will take place on the same day and follow the same course as the men’s race. This change was inspired by tennis Grand Slam Tournaments where “equal prize money is offered.” Both men and women are excited for the changes to such a traditional race. One rower for Britain’s National Team says, “This provides a massive opportunity to grow women’s rowing in this country” and “[f]our-time Olympic gold medalist Matthew Pinsent said its a major advance for equality in the sport.” Matthew also recognizes the disparity in his sport when he tells the post that the women’s team doesn’t receive any of the benefits that the men’s team receives. In fact, women weren’t allowed to race in the Olympics until 1976. Even though the women’s team will be asked to row four times longer than their typical race, “it’s everybody’s intention that it should be exactly the same,” claims Robert Gillespie, chairman of Boat Race Company.

Do you think that tennis has started a chain reaction? In other words, do you think that more sports will begin to move towards gender equality? Can sports actually treat men and women the same, especially when they are still competing within their own genders?