Schools in the United States had been conducting track and field events for girls since well before World War 1. It was only after the Great War, however, that women's athletics began to grow in Europe.

French and Austrian clubs sprang to life at the close of the War and it was not long before international matches began to be held. The Japanese Association also began including events for women.

In 1919, the Federation Feminine Sportive de France asked the International Olympic Committee to include women's events in the Olympic Games but the notion was rejected. This spurred the women's movement to create their own Women's Games.

The first true international meeting for women was conducted at Monte Carlo in 1921. Five countries were represented in eleven events and it was such a success that the Games were repeated the following year with an increase in the number of athletes, teams and events.

By this stage the Federation Sportive Feminine Internationale had been formed by women from six countries and had formed regulations for the conduct of women's events. The first Women's Olympic Games was held in Paris on August 20 and five countries fielded teams. Eighteen world records were broken during the Games and it was decided to hold the next Olympiad for women in 1926.

By the time the second women's games were held the International Olympic Committee and the International Amateur Athletic Federation had forced a name change. However the Women's World Games in Gothenburg were even more successful than the first.

Just prior to the start of the competition the IAAF had voted to include women's events in the 1928 Olympic Games. The vote was passed 12-5, with the Australasian representative voting against the motion.

A priority list of events to include was drawn up by the FSFI in the following order: 100m, 4x100m relay, High Jump, Discus, Javelin, 800m, Long Jump, Hurdles, Shot Putt, 200m. The first four events and the soon to be controversial 800m were approved for competition at the Amsterdam Games in 1928.

The inclusion of women's events in the Olympics was a shot in the arm for the sport in Australia. The NSW Men's Association joined Queensland in conducting state championship events for women and occasional races were also held in other states.

Edie Robinson dominated the NSW sprint events from 1925. After winning the 100m event at the 1928 National Games in Sydney she was chosen as Australia's first international women's representative. She found it hard to maintain her form while on the long sea voyage to Europe and could only progress to the semi-finals of the 100m. Encouraged by the males on the team she also attempted the 800m but dropped out of her race at around 600m.

The 1928 National Games 100m
Edie Robinson beats Gladys Phillips and Connie Hudson

The publicity afforded the sport by Olympic competition helped the growth of women's athletics in Australia. Women's clubs and associations, once again, began to appear.