Here’s a fascinating track and field fact for this year’s Olympics: the Women’s Olympic marathon route will actually follow the historic path of the Women’s March from the French Revolution. How cool is that?
From Olympics.com:
“The historic event recognised with the Olympic marathon route is a key moment from the French Revolution: the Women’s March on Versailles, on 5 October 1789.
On 5 and 6 October 1789, market women, shopkeepers and workers from the popular quarters gathered in front of the Hôtel de Ville in Paris to demand bread and arms. Between 6,000 and 7,000 Parisian women, joined by men, marched through Paris to Versailles to bring the King back to the Tuileries. That day, Louis XVI finally agreed to ratify the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizens.”
This is not just a race; it’s a tribute to a pivotal moment in history.