Why are all the top athletes in all sports men? Even chess and such!

Question

Hi,

Why are all the top performers men? Or almost all of them?

I have heard that there is a greater spread of talents in men. Is this true?

Answer 1

Historically, only men were allowed to compete in sports and things of a competitive nature for the most part. It is ingrained in women from a young age to "get along with others" and they will thus often set lower standards for themselves to dominate and achieve in the competitive world than men.

It is true that men are built with a physiological edge, so that women cannot compete alongside them in many sports.  But I think it is more of a sociological and psychological disconnect why more women do not excel in competitive intellectual pusuits like chess.  In the article below a female chess master ponders this question.

It shouldn't be discounted that women's professional sports are gaining in popularity and fierceness.  Women's boxing has gained a large fan base in the past 10 years, and personally I find it more exciting than men's boxing.

There are just as many female competitors in the Olympics as male competitors, and this should not be overlooked.  For a gender that was not allowed to play for most of history, we have gained by leaps and bounds in the past 80 years.  We will only grow stronger as time passes.

    

Answer 2

There are actually a few sports where woman are at the top, such as tennis and gymnastics. But, men naturally have more physical abilities than women. I think for the most part people like to see the best of the best.