Olympics: Women to compete in record numbers

By SUZANNE McFADDEN

Equality for women has pricked the conscience of Australian Olympic organisers.

More women will compete in Sydney than at any other Games after it was deemed unfair to cut their number in teams events just to save beds in the village.

Originally, waterpolo and volleyball sides were to lose players because there was not enough accommodation for all 10,437 athletes.

But Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates has had a change of heart, reinstating two extra players in each waterpolo team and one in each volleyball side, equalling the men's quota.

But it is still not even-stevens in the female-male ratio. In Sydney, 38 per cent of athletes will be women - 4 per cent more than in Atlanta.

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