Why sexism is still a problem at the most ‘gender-equal’ Olympics

Sexualisation, policing of testosterone levels and underrepresentation of women in top sports jobs are just some of the issues.

Tokyo 2020 is being billed as the “first gender-equal Olympic Games ever”. With nearly the same number of male and female athletes, and a sporting schedule that gives equal visibility for men and women’s events during primetime hours, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) says it took deliberate action to make sure this year’s Games constitute a “landmark in gender equality”, both on and off the field of play. But analysts say the rhetoric and the reality are “miles apart”.