Number of events at the Summer Olympics by gender 1896-2020

The Tokyo 2020 Games marked the first Summer Olympics where the number of women's and mixed events outnumbered the number of men's events. The first modern Olympic Games in 1896 had a total of 43 events for male-only competitors and teams; this climbed above 150 events in 1972, and has generally fluctuated between 150 and 180 events since this time. For women's and mixed events the number has steadily grown with each tournament, but the number of events did not surpass 100 until 200. The Paris Games in 1900 had 93 events for male competitors, however the number of female and mixed events did not exceed this figure until 1996.

Throughout Olympic history, there have been a number of events that are exclusively for women, such as rhythmic gymnastics and synchronized swimming, although there are many more male-only events, such as the pommel horse and rings, and there is a larger number of male weight classes in weightlifting and combat events. There are also several mixed events, such as tennis and badminton (with set numbers of male and female competitors) whereas male and female athletes compete on equal terms in equestrian and sailing events (although sailing has become increasingly segregated in recent years). In the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, a number of mixed shooting events, table tennis doubles, and swimming and sprinting relays were introduced in an attempt to improve participation among female athletes.