There is no higher achievement in the sporting world than to be an Olympic champion. The five Olympic rings are a powerful global brand. The Olympic Games is the largest event in the world. Where the International Olympic Committee (IOC) lead others follow.
"If your are capable of trembling with indignation each time that an injustice is committed anywhere in the world, We are comrades." – Che Guevara.
Efforts to close the leadership gap in global Olympic sport isn't progressing as it should because many are enjoying the trappings of the patriarchy. My question to my Olympic colleagues, is if not now when?
Last week, during the first PANAM Sports Women in Sport Conference held in Panama City, Panama. The male allies panel comprised of Camilio Perez Lopez Moreira, an IOC member and president of the Paraguay Olympic Committee, Mario Moccia, president of the Argentina Olympic Committee and Renzo Manyari - president of Peru Olympic Committee, Ivar Sisniega - PANAM Sports secretary general and myself.
The moderator was president of the Panama Olympic Committee, Damaris Young. The discussion pivoted to progress that has been made in respect of women in sport. It was acknowledged that by París 2024 the Olympic Games will have 50/50 participation by male and female athletes. However, people are uncomfortable when the light is shined on leadership. Don't rock that boat. Give credit for progress. But, here is my point, in the context of the contemporary world everything is happening at warp speed. Why is it okay for gender-equality, inclusion and diversity to be at molasses speed?
In its 128 years, the IOC has never once elected a woman as president. The IOC has had nine presidents–eight white European male and one white American male. It's a white male-run institution.
The lack of leadership inclusion and diversity is a reality the IOC shares with Fifa, World Bank, the United Nations secretary general, Political parties and most sectors of business.
USA, China, Russia, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Mexico, Egypt and Saudia Arabia are some of the countries that have never elected a woman leader.
Of the world's Fortune 500 companies: 8.8 % have women CEOs – 91 % have male CEOs; one in three women are subjected to physical and sexual violence many are victims of íntimate partner abuse against women; 87% of big corporations have a wide gender pay gap.
In the Olympic Movement you have the IOC Executive Board, 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), five Continental Olympic Associations and approximately 40 International Federations on the Summer and Winter Olympic Games programme. How many have ever elected a woman president? The question can also be asked of World Anti Doping Organisation (WADA).
In 2021 of 198 speakers before the United Nations General Assembly–14 were women.
In the United Nations system - 33 multilaterals since 1945 have had 382 leaders–47 were women that's 12%.
The UN permanant Security Council–PR China, USA, Russia, UK and France–do the nomination to the powerful position of United Nation Secretary General...There have been nine UN Secretaries- General..The photos are all male.
The World Bank has had 13 presidents. Not once has the World Bank had a woman leader.
In a culture that is patriarchal combating toxic masculinity requires we change the entire culture from top down. Men must be allies who will: 1 - Stand up whatever the price of doing so maybe and; 2 - Not be intimidated and made to sit down and shut up.
The vestiges and trappings of patriarchy in the Olympic Movement must be removed.
We need bolder thinking and global system change to dismantle the shackles of organised injustices and inequalities of patriarchy, racism, colonialism, class and capitalist exploitation.
"Have the courage to use your own mind, think your own thoughts and live your own life." – Immanuel Kant.
Editor’s Note: The views expressed by the writer aren’t necessarily those of any organisation that he may be associated with.
