Lausanne, 1st July – Ona Baboniene from Lithuania) was awarded the 2013 IOC Women and Sport Trophy for Europe – during a ceremony held in the Olympic Capital.
The ceremony was attended by President of the IOC Jacques Rogge, the IOC members, Women and Sport Commission Chair Anita De Frantz. EOC President Patrick Hickey congratulated the European Awardee, who was accompanied by Ambassador Rytis Paulauskas, and LTOK Foreign Relations Director Vaida Masalskyt?

Every year, the International Olympic Committee recognizes and celebrates the efforts made by an individual or an organisation to promote gender equality through the IOC Women and Sport Awards. This year six awards are being given for outstanding achievements to encourage and strengthen the participation of women and girls at all levels in the sporting world

Ms Baboniene, peda has devoted her life to promoting sports activities among women and girls from rural areas. She organises successful school sports events and educational activities involving both boys and girls, while her support for women in their campaigns for senior positions in sports organisations has seen many of them being elected to decision-making posts in sports bodies. In her capacity as head of the Parliamentary Committee for Public Education, Science, Culture and Sport, she has supported women in administrative and decisionmaking

Qatari Ahlam Salem Mubarak Al Mana, a pioneer for women’s and girls’ sports rights in her country, was presented with the World Trophy, while the other four continental trophies were awarded as follows:
– IOC Trophy for Africa: Dr Djènè Saran Camara (Guinea)
– IOC Trophy for the Americas: Marlene Bjornsrud (USA)
– IOC Trophy for Asia: Boossaba Yodbangtoey (Thailand)
– IOC Trophy for Oceania: Catherine Alice Wong (Fiji)

Photo from left: Ambassador Rytis Paulauskas, Ona Babonien?, PatrickHickey, LTOK Foreign Relations Director Vaida Masalskyt?