Early Life and Athletic Beginnings
Born into a time when women's roles were largely confined to the domestic sphere, Alice Milliat defied societal expectations. As a young woman, she was drawn to sports and began competing in various events. She quickly distinguished herself in a variety of disciplines, particularly in athletics. As she immersed herself in competitive sports, she began to realize the significant barriers faced by women, who were often excluded from many athletic events, including the prestigious Olympic Games.
While women's sports were seen as a novelty or a sideshow by many, Milliat's passion for athletics and her desire to see women gain more opportunities in the sporting world only grew. At the time, most international competitions were male-dominated, and there were very few opportunities for women to compete at the same level.
Founding the Fédération Sportive Féminine Internationale (FSFI)
In the early 1920s, Alice Milliat made a pivotal decision to address the exclusion of women from the world of elite sports. She founded the Fédération Sportive Féminine Internationale (FSFI) in 1921, an organization that aimed to create a platform for women’s sports on the international stage. The FSFI sought to promote women’s participation in competitive athletics and provide a space for female athletes to showcase their talents. Under Milliat’s leadership, the FSFI grew in influence, becoming the most significant international body advocating for women's sports.
Milliat's organization helped to organize the Women's World Games, which were first held in Paris in 1922. These games became the cornerstone for women’s athletic competitions outside of the Olympics, offering a competitive environment where female athletes could compete in events that were often not available to them in other competitions. shutdown123