European Olympic Committees (EOC) Executive Committee member and Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commission Chair Annamarie Phelps was among the panellists at a themed event on gender equality in sport at Slovenia House in Paris.
For the first time in Olympic history, the number of quota places for female athletes at Paris 2024 is equal to that for male athletes, and the Slovenian team itself has its highest proportion of women competing at 49% of its team.
The EOC has also made great strides for female athletes and females within sport, with last year’s European Games in Kraków-Małopolska featuring gender parity in terms of quota places.
Alongside Ms Phelps, the panel discussion at Slovenia House included notable speakers such as the President of Slovenia, Dr. Nataša Pirc Musar, IOC Executive Board member and Vice-Chair of the IOC Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commission HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, the Country Managing Partner at Deloitte Slovenia, Barbara Žibret Kralj, and Gustavo Merino, the Director of Social Policies at UNESCO.
Speaking during the event, Ms Phelps urged all stakeholders to accelerate the pace of work advancing gender equality in sport.
“We cannot talk about progress on gender equality if we do not know the facts and statistics. Recently, the numbers have been improving, but too slowly. In Europe, we are close to 30% women on the executive boards of Olympic Committees. It is important for all of us to look at the data and take significant steps towards gender equality,” she said.
HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein noted the significant progress made in gender equality but acknowledged that much work remains.
The roundtable event underscored the ongoing efforts and commitment to achieving gender equality in sport, reflecting the Olympic Movement’s dedication to a more equal world.
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