Monaco Women's Olympiad Mary Lines 250m Finish 1921 Real Photo Postcard

The image depicts a female athlete competing in a running event, likely from the early to mid-20th century, identifiable by the spectators' attire and the runner's relatively progressive sportswear for the era. The Union Jack emblem prominently displayed on her shirt signifies a British athlete or participation in a British-sanctioned event, marking a significant period when women's competitive athletics, particularly track and field, began to gain more widespread acceptance and organized structure after decades of limited opportunities.

This era represented a crucial phase in the emancipation of women in sports, challenging Victorian-era norms that often restricted female physical activity. Such athletic meetings, often held in grandstand venues or resort towns, were instrumental in legitimizing female athletes and paving the way for greater inclusion in national and international competitions, including the slow expansion of women's events in the Olympic Games beginning in the late 1920s.