Introduction - Women in International Sport

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In the early decades of the twentieth century, competitive sport for women was widely viewed as a threat to conventionally 'feminine' behaviour. Pioneering female athletes who achieved success in international competition demonstrated a self- confidence that often transcended social expectations of what they could- or should- strive to accomplish in the world of sport. Often, they turned to one another for mutual support and saw their accomplishments as a shared experience, setting powerful examples of teamwork. Although they often had to overcome biased media coverage that patronized or sensationalized their achievements, their increased visibility in sports previously dominated by men often changed social attitudes towards women's athletic capabilities. By the middle of the twentieth century Canadian women who found success in international competition had become some of the nation's most beloved sports heroes. The precedents they set broke new ground, inspiring younger generations to dream without limitation.