First is participation. Title IX requires that both males and females must be provided with equitable opportunities to participate in athletics. A common misconception of Title IX is that it requires universities to offer identical programs for both males and females. For example, if there is a men's basketball there must also be a women's basketball team. However, this is not the case. The regulation states that the number of male and female teams provided must be determined by the population at the school. For example, if forty percent of the population is female then forty percent of the athletic teams must be female as well. Second is scholarships. Title IX requires that male and female athletes receive scholarships that are equal to their participation in that sport. Lastly, Title IX requires that male and female student-athletes receive the same benefits such as facilities, equipment and travel expenses.
Although Title IX provides the opportunity for women to participate in athletics it does not omit the social backlash that female athletes continue to face today. In the summer of 1996 the United States sent more female athletes to the Summer Olympic Games than ever before. Many will remember Kerri Strug as the symbol of female athleticim in these games. While competing on the vault in the final day pf competition against Russia, Strug injured her ankle during her first vault. Knowing she needed to complete a second one to win the gold, Strug limped to the mat and proceeded to land a flawless vault on one leg. The media swarmed her as she was carried by her coach to the podium to accept the gold medal. This was an inspiring day for female athletes everywhere however the media did not report it that way. Instead of her heroism and bravery, they reported on her delicacy and fragility and how it is ever present even amid the strength and power exhibited by female athletes (Olson 1254).