It’s a man’s world; isn’t that how the song goes?

But looking at the London Olympics, there seemed to be far more significant breakthroughs in regard to women than men. Sure, Michael Phelps made history – breaking the record for most Olympic medals ever won by a human-dolphin hybrid – but who held that honor before him? Yep, it was a woman, the Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina to be exact. Women around the world have been reaching significant milestones in athletics over the past four decades, which can all boil down to Title IX.

Regardless of your sex, Title IX is one of the most influential legislations in sports history. In the early ’70s, Title IX was passed stating that no one on the basis of sex could be discriminated against in any educational program. Though the legislation never specifically stated athletics, Title IX paved the way for women in high school and collegiate athletics, and eventually led to the increase in awareness of professional women’s sports.

In London, Saudi Arabia finally allowed women to enter the Olympics and was the last Muslim country to do so. In a tongue-twister of a name, Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani competed in judo and became the first Saudi woman to compete in the Olympics.

But it wasn’t just one Saudi woman competing. Sarah Attar became the first Saudi woman to compete in Olympic track, and even though she didn’t break a world record, she made headlines by breaking boundaries. Both Saudi women demonstrated the principle of breaking away from a stereotype was more important than the performance.

This breakthrough signifies a huge step for Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries, as well as the women in these countries who are seeking to break away from their ultraconservative restrictions.

Regardless of their silver medal in the London Olympic soccer final, the Japanese women were rewarded with business class tickets, after having flown over in economy class at the start of the games, while the men’s team was sitting comfortably in first class.

That seems only appropriate considering they were the ones who medaled.

This incident only further illuminates the dilemma. Even after the passing of Title IX, women’s sports are still considered second rate to men’s. Even in the states, the emphasis of sports is on men with fall football, March Madness and baseball. However, this emphasis is slightly askew. The U.S. men’s soccer team didn’t even qualify for the Olympics, while the women’s team went and won gold for the fourth time. Do we see a pattern here?

Don’t forget the U.S. beach volleyball champs. Their gold-winning match in Beijing was the most-watched event in Olympics history. However, people probably weren’t tuning in because of the sport.

Women’s sports have grown immensely and will continue to grow if women keep pursuing excellence. However, Title IX is not just about athletics, although it clearly shows that sometimes women can be just as strong as men. Due to Title IX, more women are going to college, more women are stepping out into the workforce and more women are holding leadership positions worldwide.

In regard to women’s sports, the glass ceiling was certainly cracked with the passing of Title IX, and with the breakthroughs in the 2012 Olympics, the glass ceiling seems to have shattered. This doesn’t go to say that women can do everything men can. Honestly, who looks better in a polo shirt, khakis and a baseball cap? Men. As the London Olympics show, however, maybe it’s not such a man’s world after all.