When women were first allowed to compete in the Paris Olympics in 1900, they participated in sports that were typical for women of that era: tennis, sailing, croquet, equestrianism and golf. There is some question about who got the first gold medal: some sources say it was Charlotte Cooper of England, who won a medal in the tennis singles competition. But other sources say it was Helene dePourtales, who competed for Switzerland as part of a sailing team.
Women were first allowed to compete in tennis at the 1900 Games in Paris.
Women first competed at the 1900 Paris Games. Women were allowed to compete in lawn tennis and golf, though there were three French women competing in croquet and there was at least one woman sailor as part of mixed crews. It is commonly believed that first woman to win an Olympic event was England's Charlotte Cooper, who won the tennis singles title, however Swiss sailor Hélène de Pourtalès won a gold medal as part of a team in sailing earlier than this.
Tuuli Petäjä Finland (FIN)
Only one woman won gold at the 1900 Games in tennis and that was Charlotte Cooper of Great Britain. She won the women's singles competition and also won the mixed doubles competition with Reginald Doherty.
It was the first time that women were allowed to compete in the games and Charlotte Cooper was the first to win the gold medal at tennis.
Women were first accepted in to the Olympics in 1900. The games were held in Paris, France and the women competed in five events: Tennis, sailing, croquet, equestrianism, and golf.
Zofia Klepacka Poland (POL)
Marina Alabau Spain (ESP)
1900 was the first Olympics when women were allowed to compete in golf, tennis, and croquet.
Marit Bouwmeester Netherlands (NED)
That was the 1900 Games in Paris where women competed in golf, tennis, and croquet.