Women Pioneers in the History of Sport: The Case of Lili alvarez in Franco's Spain

This article explores the historical role played by female pioneers of elite sport by studying the singular case of Lili alvarez (1905-1998). alvarez was a high-profile Spanish female athlete with an outstanding career characterized by remarkable achievements in various sports, including being singles finalist in Wimbledon for three consecutive years (1926-1928). In Franco's Spain, alvarez contributed to the promotion of sports by publishing articles and delivering public lectures on sporting topics. In her published pieces and public talks, alvarez tried to convince Spaniards of both sexes to exercise, however minimally. alvarez also disseminated knowledge about sports other than soccer, the national sport. Thus, alvarez contributed not only to the development of women's sport but also of sports in general. An analysis of alvarez's case reveals much related to the role of elite female pioneers and their contribution to the history of sport across countries.