Which event at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympic Games sparked controversy about women's participation in athletics?

• A. The 100 meters dash
• B. The marathon
• C. The long jump
• D. The 800 meters race

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is how social beliefs about what women could or should do in sport shaped Olympic decisions. At the Amsterdam Games, the women's 800-meter race sparked a heated debate about whether women should compete at such a distance. After the event, many spectators and officials argued that the distance was too demanding for women, and this led to significant criticism and eventually the suspension of the event from Olympic programs for several decades. This controversy illustrates how gender norms influenced athletic opportunities and how the Olympics reflected those attitudes.

The other events listed did not generate the same level of controversy at those Games, so they’re not the example that sparked the discussion about women’s participation in athletics in 1928.