The annual IOC Women and Sport Trophies’ gala ceremony was held on Monday at the SwissTech Convention Centre in Lausanne, Switzerland in the presence of IOC President Thomas Bach.

Five continental trophies and one world trophy are awarded every year.

Europe’s Trophy was awarded to Ms Majken Maria Gilmartin (Denmark), both a football coach and sports administrator, who has persistently advocated women’s rights in all her activities, events, coaching and campaigns.

Dagim Zinabu Tekl, an Ethiopian sports journalist, is the first male to receive the World Trophy Introduced in 2000, in recognition of the outstanding achievement and contributions made to develop, encourage and strengthen the participation of women and girls in sport at all levels.

In 2011, the Ethiopian sports journalist founded the Lisan Women’s Sport Radio Programme, dedicated to inspiring women and girls to be more active in sport and to pursue their goals and dreams.
Over five years, the radio programme has invited 12,580 guests, including sports leaders, coaches, professionals and sportswomen engaged in local and international women’s sports activities. This has significantly raised awareness among the public of the achievements and success of these women.

While receiving the award in Lausanne, Tekle stressed that it is not only the role of women to fight for women’s rights. “This trophy is not only for women. It is for both men and women who work towards gender equity. I feel blessed to receive this trophy today.”

The other continental trophies were awarded to:
°Africa: Ms Felicite Rwemarika (Rwanda) – As well as founding the Organisation of Kigali Women in Sports, Ms Rwemarika fought for the creation of a national council for women in sport in Rwanda. She has devoted her life to helping women and girls in different areas, and particularly sport.
° Americas: Dr Carole Oglesby (USA) – President of the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women, President of the National Association of Girls and Women’s Sport, President of Women Sport International and co-Chair of the International Working Group on Women and Sport. Throughout her academic career, Dr Oglesby has devoted herself to the growth and development of women’s studies and the advocacy of women in sport.
° Asia: Ms Maria Leonor Estampador (Philippines) – Athlete, first female national fencing coach, sports official and leader, Ms Estampador has championed providing broader opportunities for women in both administrative and technical responsibilities within sport.
° Oceania: Ms Moya Dodd (Australia) – Former international footballer, Vice President of the Asian Football Confederation, and member of the FIFA and AFC Legal Committees, Ms Dodd has championed women’s rights within the game and raised global awareness about the need to bring more gender diversity into all areas of sports governance.

Coming from different sports and playing an instrumental role at numerous levels (elite sport, grassroots sport, sports administration, etc.), all the winners have all been instrumental in promoting women and sport activities.

Commenting on the event, IOC President Bach said: “The world of sport needs courageous men and women to lead the change towards gender equality. These Women and Sport Awards are very important because without these personalities whom we are honouring, the athletes could not achieve their goals.”