The inaugural Women's Olympiad, the first international women's sports event, opened at the International Sporting Club of Monaco in Monte Carlo.

The 1921 Women's Olympiad Olympiades Féminines and Jeux Olympiques Féminins was the first international women's sports event, a 5-day multi-sport event organised by Alice Milliat and held on 24–31 March 1921 in Monte Carlo at the International Sporting Club of Monaco. The tournament was formally called 1er Meeting International d'Education Physique Féminine de Sports Athlétiques. It was the first of three Women's Olympiads or "Monte Carlo Games" held annually at the venue, and the forerunner of the quadrennial Women's World Games, organised in 1922–34 by the International Women's Sports Federation founded by Milliat later in 1921.

Women and girls have participated in sports, physical fitness, and exercise throughout history. However, the extent of their involvement has varied depending on factors such as country, time, geographical location, and level of economic development. The modern era of organized sports, with structured competitions and formalized activities, did not fully emerge for either women or men until the late industrial age. This shift marked a significant change in how sports were structured and practiced, eventually leading to more inclusive opportunities for female participation.

Monte Carlo is an official administrative area of Monaco, specifically the ward of Monte Carlo/Spélugues, where the Monte Carlo Casino is located. Informally, the name also refers to a larger district, the Monte Carlo Quarter, which besides Monte Carlo/Spélugues also includes the wards of La Rousse/Saint Roman, Larvotto/Bas Moulins and Saint Michel. The permanent population of the ward of Monte Carlo is about 3,500, while that of the quarter is about 15,000. Monaco has four traditional quarters, from west to east they are: Fontvieille, Monaco-Ville, La Condamine, and Monte Carlo.