This study examines the relative contributions of women in selected Western and Eastern countries to the sporting achievements of their national teams, particularly in the Olympic Games. It would seem evident that the public fact of women displaying physical and cerebral skill, strength, courage and grace, winning recognition for club or country, the self- acting behaviour and bodily liberation associated with sport are all serving to promote the notion of independent women acting in their own right. This is challenging the whole set of cultural and traditional attitudes about women's position and role in society. Thus sport may work as an agent of social change.