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Inequalities in Women’s Sport Impact on This Year’s Winter Olympics

Just days away from the start of the Winter Olympics, International Sports Law expert discusses the inequalities and restrictions that still surround sport and the impact on those excluded.
World - 4 February 2010   Download IconContent available for download:  
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  News Hooks:

The 2010 Winter Olympics begin on the 12th of February but female World Champion and record holder for the longest jump on this course, Lindsey Van, will not be travelling to compete. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) ruled women’s’ ski-jumping is ‘not developed enough’ to merit their inclusion.

The 2009 World Athletics Championships were also shrouded in controversy as Caster Semenya’s gender was called into question by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) following her win.

Female participation in organised competitive sport is still not equal, 21.1% of men are involved in organised competitive sport compared to only 8.5% of women. With inequalities and controversies still surrounding women’s sport, sports law experts discuss why these inequalities still exist.

. Introduction:

As the 2010 Winter Olympics approaches on 12th February, many of us may be unaware of the exclusion of women’s ski-jumping, despite the current record holder on this year’s Olympic course being female. Controversies such as this are rife in the sporting calendar, raising issues over gender inequalities and participation. More than twice as many men than women are involved in competitive sport putting participation and equality into the spotlight for the sporting community.

What role does sports law play in decisions such as the exclusion of women’s ski-jumping in this year’s Winter Olympics?