PACE-FITNESS-STUDY a scientific project of the German Sport University Cologne
The Department of Physiology and Anatomy of the German Sport University Cologne is carrying out a long-term epidemiologic project: the PACE-Study (Performance, Age, Competition, Exercise). Its aim is the documentation of complex interactions between training, age, motivation to engage in physical activity, lifestyle factors and physical performance.

Athletes from all age segments, sports and from all levels of performance are invited to participate in our online survey (www.dshs-koeln.de/pace ).

More info...

Take the Survey - Click here.

Women's Ski Jumping
On February 13th ski jumping competition in the 2010 Winter Olympics took place at the Whistler Olympic Park, but Lindsey Van, who set the record on the normal hill for both men and women in 2008 was not there. Neither were other elite women jumpers in spite of the fact that the International Ski Federation (FIS) recommended in a 114-1 vote in 2006 that the women's event be added to the 2010 Winter Olympics. According to Jacques Rogge, IOC President, the reason for excluding women was based on technical reasons, not gender discrimination. Rogge points to the IOC requirement that there must be competition in a winter sport in 25 countries on three continents to be considered for the Olympics and then raised the ire of women by unwisely using the phrase "dilution of medals" if women jumpers were added to the Vancouver program. Women point to snowboard cross and ski cross, recent additions to the Olympics, that didn't meet that criteria. Women in those sports and others in the Summer Olympics benefited from the efforts of Juan Antonio Samaranch, IOC President 1980-2001, to eliminate gender discrimination in the Olympics. Since 1998, any new sport added to the Olympics must include women's events. A reasonable person might assume that would be followed by opening the doors to women in all Olympic sports. The opportunity was there - but missed. To many observers the decision, clothed in facts and figures, is really gender discrimination. The statement from FIS President, Gian Franco Kasper that, "Ski jumping is just too dangerous for women...... seems not to be appropriate for ladies from a medical point of view." is all too familiar and undercuts the assertion that gender was not a factor in the decision. The IOC has made exceptions to the rules in the past, notably the women's marathon in 1984 and would have been applauded for doing so again. The women have lost an opportunity to demonstrate their skill and courage on the world stage. What has the IOC gained? From acsm.stats.org

In response to the efforts of the women jumpers to overturn the IOC's decision not to include them in the 2010 Winter Olympics, Dick Pound, IOC member and head of the World Anti-Doping Agency, issued this not so veiled threat: "If in the meantime you're making all kinds of allegations about the IOC and how it's discriminating on the basis of gender," he warned, "the IOC may say, 'Oh yeah, I remember them. They're the ones that embarrassed us and caused us a lot of trouble of trouble in Vancouver, maybe they should wait another four years or eight years.'"

Commentary:
Muditambi Ravele, acting president of the South-African Women and Sports Federation
September 2009 - Caster Semenya should be basking in the glory of her 800 meters world gold medal in Berlin. Instead, 2009 looks set to be an annus horribilis year for the talented South African athlete. More...

Followup: October 2009

Asia Pacific NGO Forum on Beijing +15
The forum takes place October 22-24, 2009 at Miriam College in Quezon City, Philippines.
For details and registration form, visit their web site.

2009 JSSGS 8th Congress
The Eighth Congress will be held 4 and 5 in July 2009 at the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center, Tokyo.
The first theme of this congress is Sport and Gender in East Asia -the Issues and the Perspectives-. The program includes: 1) Lecture: "Policy for Women and its Issues in East Asia in recent years." 2) Reports: "The Present Situation concerning Gender Mainstreaming in Sports in East Asia" -The Present Situation in China and South Korea-.
The second theme is Physical Education and Sport and Gender in the University Education. The program includes Symposium and Group Discussion. Whole program includes presentations of papers on sport and gender studies. Website: www.jssgs.org

WSI NEW MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS
JOIN – and become a member of one of the only RESEARCH-based Advocacy groups for Women – Sport and Physical Activity. We now offer a four year and a life-time membership option at a reduced rate. Credit card payment options are also now available. Click here – to download a copy of the latest brochure and membership application/renewal form.

WSI at the United Nations
WomenSport International, in collaboration with the UN Division for the Advancement of Women (UNDAW) and the international Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG) hosted a parallel session during the 53rd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women on Monday 2 March 2009 at the UN headquarters in New York. The purpose of the session was to report on the implementation of the recommendations of the UNDAW report "Women, Gender Equality and Sport", which was launched last year at CSW.

The session titled - Empowering women through physical activity and sport - featured a diverse group of expert speakers from all regions of the world including the following WSI Executive and Advisory Board members:

• Prof. Dr. Kari Fasting (Norway)
• Dr. Carole Oglesby (USA)
• Ms. Laura Gajardo (Chile)

The session was moderated by Johanna Adriaanse (Australia). For a summary of the presentations, click here.

The myth that never dies……
In 2006 Gian-Franco Kasper, head of the International Ski Federation, was ridiculed for saying , "Ski jumping is just too dangerous for women. Don't forget, [the landing] it's like jumping down from, let's say, about two meters to the ground about a thousand times a year, which seems not to be appropriate for ladies from a medical point of view."
A few years earlier, he told reporters that a woman's uterus might burst during landing.
Women continue to jump in spite of this dire warning with no injuries to their reproductive organs.

In 2000, the Seattle Times (USA) reported that women were encountering red flags from coaches who offered resistance and suspicious arguments for why females shouldn’t pole vault, “They weren’t strong enough. Their arms weren’t built to withstand the necessary force. Hard landings in the pit could damage their reproductive systems.” These dire predictions have not come true. In the Beijing Olympics, Russia’s Yelena Isinbayeva set a new World record of 16’ 6 2/3”. No injuries to a woman’s reproductive system have been reported.

FACT: There is no medical or scientific evidence that participation in any Olympic sport causes damage to a woman’s reproductive organs. This discredited myth is being used to intimidate women and discourage them from participating in the sport of their choice.

Laura Gajardo, new Advisory Board member of WSI, recently conducted a study on women and sport in Chile
A research project was set up by Chiledeportes in 2006 and provides an overview of the female participation in sport. Strategies and actions are outlined based on a three pillar concept: Health - Quality of Life - Physical Activity/Sport. Chiledeportes has the objective to promote gender equality in sport and physical education.

Findings include that in Chile 62% of females are considered overweight and sport and physical education are seen to have the potential to solve this current crisis. Long working hours, lack of motivation and the scarcity of sports programs are main constraints for Chilean women to get involved in sports.

The following report summarises proposals to improve the current situation including the development of a public strategy to include women in sport, find ways of funding for women's sports programs and the creation of a female sport infrastructure.

The report provided by Laura Gajardo is available in Spanish language, please click here to download.

Impact of WSI fund assist in Cambodia goes beyond sport.
The disability policy being prepared by ANZ Royal Bank (see below) is a direct result of 5 CNVLD women in WSI funded wheelchairs in Battambang who, one day, were given the chance to open a bank account and could not access the bank.
The resulting consequences and superb action being taken by ANZ Royal including a national disability policy for all their braches shows how effective sport can be as a catalyst for civil society development.”
Policy
The Management of ANZ Royal adopts “ANZ Royal Disability Physical Accessibility Policy (hereafter referred to Accessibility Policy) for the design, construction, expansion, renovation and alterations of the bank’s buildings so that our facilities are conveniently accessible by persons with disabilities. This instrument will ensure that all building designs of ANZ Royal Bank are considered in terms of their accessibility to person with disabilities.

New WSI member designs sportswear for active Muslim women
Aheda Zanetti, Managing Director of Ahiida, recently joined WSI as a member.
Her company, Ahiida, is an Australian owned company that designs and produces quality swimwear and sportswear, for example the ‘burkini” (see photo). Ahiida garments are designed with the respect of Islamic values and aimed to enhance the lifestyle of the active Muslim female.
Sports clothing requirements can be a barrier for Muslim girls and women who want to play sports due to cultural and religious beliefs. Ahiida is addressing this issue by providing specialised sportswear to suit the Muslim female allowing Muslim women to compete in sports with confidence.
For more information on Ahiida’s products please check out their website www.ahiida.com.

NOTICE TO THE MEMBERSHIP OF WSI
It is time for the 2008 WSI elections and the procedures are in place for the nomination process:
OFFICES OPEN FOR NOMINATION
President
Vice-President
Secretary
Treasurer
Member-at-large, Executive Committee

Advisory Board (4 positions)

Nominations for these positions are welcome. For details, click here.

United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW) Publication
For the past several years, Dr. Carole Oglesby (former President of WSI) and a group of dedicated researchers have been working within the framework of the United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW) on a major publication on Women and Sport and sports effectiveness in promoting equality and social development. (See the interim reports in the WSI Initiatives section) The publication “Women, gender equality and sport” was launched at Feb 28, Commission on the Status of Women Meeting at the UN in New York City. This monograph is the latest in the WOMENWATCH 2000 and Beyond series.

Numerous WSI members, along with other experts from the International Working Group, the United Nations, and other agencies have contributed to the success of this project.

WSI extends its thanks and congratulations to WSI executive members Carole Oglesby, Johanna Adriaanse, and President Kari Fasting for their dedication in bringing this publication to completion. Former Executive Board member Elizabeth Darlison was also very influential in the early years of the Strategic Bridges project. It has been a WSI initiative for several years and we are pleased to see its publication. Download the Women 2000 Report (.pdf, 610 KB)

Check out the NEW IWG!
Leading up to the 5th World Conference on Women and Sport in 2010 in Sydney the International Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG) has repositioned itself with a:

• NEW Team….including 3 WSI Executive Committee members
• NEW logo
• NEW website
• NEW Strategic Plan 2007-2012
• NEW e-newsletter ‘The Catalyst’

Find out more about these exciting initiatives on the web site www.iwg-gti.org, and in the first quarterly newsletter www.iwg-gti.org/index.php?id=58

About time! Senate inquiry into women in sport and recreation in Australia
The Australian Senate called for an inquiry into women in sport and recreation in Australia in March 2006. It is significant that it was a bipartisan inquiry which indicates that all political parties acknowledged that things were not “quite right” in women’s sport. The final report, aptly titled “About time!” contains 18 recommendations. More...

IOC Adopts Concensus Statement on “SEXUAL HARASSMENT & ABUSE IN SPORT”
The Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has adopted a Consensus Statement on “Sexual Harassment and Abuse in Sport” . This unique document defines the problems, identifies the risk factors and provides guidelines for prevention and resolution. The aim of the Consensus is to improve the health and protection of athletes through the promotion of effective preventive policy as well as to increase the awareness of these problems among the people in the entourage of the athletes. To download the media release and Concensus Statement, click here. (.pdf, 120 KB)

WSI was well represented in the development of this statement, by Kari Fasting and Celia Brackenridge. The group developing the statement was chaired by Professor Arne Ljungqvist, IOC Member and Chairman of the IOC Medical Commission (MC), and coordinated by Margo Mountjoy M.D., Member of the IOC MC. Programme consultants included sports sociologist and former national coach Celia Brackenridge of the UK, and former athlete and President of Women’s Sport International, Professor Kari Fasting of Norway.

To see the WSI Position Statement on Sexual Harassment and Abuse of Girls and Women in Sport, click here.

Feedback: Feb 28, 2007
Dear Professor Kari,
I would like to congratulate you for the IOC consensus statement on sexual harassment and abuse in sport.
Through this declaration, the IOC will be establishing all the guidelines for the International federations of all sports, including our IJF (International Judo Federation), to follow.
Best Regards,
Emanuela Pierantozzi

Request for Sports Equipment - Africa Youth Ministries Uganda
The following letter, recently received by WomenSport International, illustrates the power of sport to improve the lives of children who have lost so much. If your school or organization has some equipment to donate to these young people, please contact Mr. Kunihira directly.

To: The International Director, Women Sport International
On behalf of Africa Youth Ministries Uganda, I am writing this mail to request for netball items i.e. uniforms, balls, sports canvas, netball rings. More...

Board of Directors:
Chantal Amade-Escot – France
Phyllis Berck – Canada
Stilani Chroni – Greece
Takako Iida – Japan
Marcia Oxley – Barbados
Chris Shelton – USA

Notice to the Membership of WSI
It is time for the 2005 WSI elections and the procedures are in place for the nomination process:
Offices Open for Nomination:

• President
• Member-at-large, Executive Committee
• Advisory Board (5 positions)
• Vice-President

Nominations for these positions are welcome. Details...

Dr. Kari Fasting is honored with the 2005 Darlene A. Kluka Women's Sports and Physical Activity Research Award
The Women's Sports Foundation paid tribute to Dr. Kari Fasting of Oslo, Norway by presenting her with the Darlene A. Kluka Women’s Sports and Physical Activity Research Award More...

Special Questionnaire
At the upcoming 49th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women from February 28 -March 11, 2005, we will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the fourth world conference on women in Beijing by reexamining the Platform for Action (BPfA) and its Outcome Documents produced at the General Assembly Special Session in 2000(also known as Beijing +5). To make certain that we have as comprehensive a picture as possible prior to the 10th year review of what is presently going on globally to implement the BPfA we ask that you complete a questionnaire prepared by the UN Division for the Advancement of Women. Bani Dugal, Chair, NGO Committee on the Status of Women, Principal Representative to the United Nations More...

World Congress of Women’s Golf to debut in 2004
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.– Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Commissioner Ty M. Votaw today announced the creation of the first-ever World Congress of Women’s Golf, a landmark event featuring worldwide industry leaders focused on the advancement of women’s professional golf. The inaugural staging of the World Congress of Women’s Golf will be May 20-22, 2004, in New York City during the Sybase Classic presented by Lincoln Mercury, which will be played in nearby New Rochelle, N.Y. More...

Women, Ink.; Shulamith Koenig and Betty Reardon of PDHRE Announce PASSPORT TO DIGNITY
Connecting the 12 areas of concern of the Beijing Platform for Action, PBFA, to the Human Rights Framework for the fulfillment of Human Rights of women of all ages, worldwide.
The guide and workbook uses the comprehensive framework of the BPFA to demonstrate the holistic nature of human rights as a powerful tool for action in the achievement of full equality, well being, and participation in the decisions that determine women's lives. More...

From the President's Desk, by Carole Oglesby
Some might wonder if career work, the time spent advocating for “causes” is really worthwhile. Certainly life and family matter most to us all however health, longevity and quality of life for women are inextricably woven into the achievement of quality of life for global communities and the “causes” of WSI contribute mightily to women’s health and well-being. Surely this matters! More...