The provided bar chart and line graph illustrate the number of male and female athletes competing in the Olympics between 1924 and 2012, alongside the total number of participants over the same period.
Overall, the total number of Olympic participants rose steadily throughout the period, with female participation experiencing a particularly dramatic increase, especially after 1984. While men consistently outnumbered women, the gender gap narrowed significantly by 2012.
In 1924, there were 3,000 male participants compared to only 100 women, resulting in a total of 3,100 athletes. By 1952, the number of men had increased to 4,500, while female participation grew to 500, bringing the total to 5,000. This upward trend continued into 1984, with 5,200 men and 1,500 women competing, reaching a total of 6,700 participants.
By 2012, the disparity between genders had shrunk considerably. The number of male participants reached 5,900, while the number of women surged to 4,800. Consequently, the total number of athletes reached a peak of 10,700. In summary, while male participation grew gradually, the rapid rise in female athletes was the primary driver behind the overall increase in total Olympic participation over these eight decades.