Sporting Witness
Sporting Witness
The women cross-country skiers who fought to race
Up next
March 24, 2022
9 minutes
Available for over a year
In March 1981, women were allowed to compete officially in the Vasaloppet race in Sweden - one of the world's most popular cross-country skiing events. Vasaloppet officials had previously suggested that women would not be strong enough to complete the course and extra toilet facilities might need to be built for them. Female skiers responded with a concerted campaign to get into the historic race, which included trying - unsuccessfully - to take part disguised as men. Maddy Savage talks to Swedish Olympian Meeri Bodelid, who posted the fastest women's time in the historic 1981 Vasaloppet race.
(Photo: Meeri Bodelid competing in 1981, courtesy of the Vasaloppet Race)