Please sign the
Avaaz petition for women?s equality at the Olympics:
http://goo.gl/9X0KY
This petition is focussed on a simple, achievable and symbolic demand:
that the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) should
present the gold medal to the winner of the women?s marathon, not just to
the winner of the men?s marathon,? said Peter Tatchell, Director of the
human rights organisation, the Peter Tatchell Foundation.
?The fact that IOC President presents the gold medal to the winner of the
men?s marathon, but not to the winner of the women?s marathon, is
symptomatic of widespread discrimination against women, including lesbian
athletes, at the London 2012 Olympics.
?Having the women?s marathon gold medal presented by an IOC underling is an
insult not only to the winner but to all women athletes. It symbolises that
women?s sporting achievements are not accorded the same respect and dignity
as men?s.
?By this small gesture, we can send a signal to the IOC that women?s
equality is important. The fact that the IOC President presents the gold
medal to the winner of the men?s marathon, but not to the winner of the
women?s marathon, symbolises the wider, broader inequality of women at the
Olympics,? said Mr Tatchell.
See below examples of discrimination against women athletes, including
lesbian competitors.
*Help us get more signatures. Here?s what you can do: *
*Tweet this message*
#IOC President must present gold medal to winner of women's marathon, not
just to winner of men's marathon. SIGN: http://goo.gl/9X0KY
*Email & Facebook this message*
The President of the International Olympic Committee presents the gold
medal to the winner of the men's marathon but not to the winner of the
women's marathon. Demand women?s equality. SIGN the Avaaz petition:
http://goo.gl/9X0KY
This gender discrimination is an affront to women athletes and to all women
everywhere.
Urge the President of the International Olympic Committee to present the
gold medal to the winner of the women's marathon, not just to the winner of
the men's marathon.
*Summary of discrimination against women (including lesbian women) at the
Olympics *
Peter Tatchell, Director of the human rights organisation, the Peter
Tatchell Foundation. writes:
"The Olympic Charter outlaws discrimination in sport but these provisions
are being violated with impunity. The IOC does not enforce the Olympic
Charter.
"Discrimination at London 2012 is being condoned at the highest levels of
the IOC, as these examples illustrate.
"There are more events for men than for women. This means that men have the
opportunity to win more Olympic medals than their female counterparts.
"Gender discrimination exists in athletics, canoeing, rowing, wrestling,
shooting and boxing.
"Some of the additional events for men are based on the sexist assumption
that women are the weaker sex. These male-only events include the 50 km
walk and the decathlon.
"The IOC president will present the gold medal to the winner of the men?s
marathon but not to the winner of the women?s marathon, which symbolises to
the world that the men?s marathon is deemed more prestigious than the
women?s marathon. This is an insult to women everywhere.
"The IOC tolerates gender discrimination by competing nations and their
National Olympic Committees (NOCs) by not requiring them to comply with the
equality provisions of the Olympic Charter.
"Saudi Arabia?s government blocks women from participating in sport. Many
private women?s gyms have been closed down and girls are banned from taking
part in sport at school.
"Saudi Arabia?s Olympic committee has ruled that women athletes must shroud
their bodies head to toe, regardless of their personal wishes. They have to
be accompanied by male guardians at all times.
"The Saudis have selected only two token women athletes to compete in the
London Olympics. Neither woman actually lives in Saudi Arabia. One was born
and raised in the US and has enjoyed sporting opportunities denied to Saudi
resident women. No woman who lives in Saudi Arabia is being allowed to
compete in the Olympics.
"Iran has gender segregation in sport and forces women athletes to cover
their entire bodies, even if they do not want to.
"Women athletes from Iran are forbidden to have male coaches or to
participate in sports that involve physical contact with male sports
officials.
"In more than 150 countries, lesbian athletes have to hide their sexuality
to get selected for their country?s Olympic squad; otherwise they risk not
only non-selection but also employment discrimination, police harassment
and possibly imprisonment. The same discrimination applies to transgender
and inter-sex athletes.
"In the absence of laws against homophobic and transphobic discrimination,
victimisation and bias against lesbian and transgender athletes is endemic
in most competing nations.
"Gender marginalisation, discrimination and exclusion in many countries
means that women have fewer opportunities to compete at London 2012,
regardless of how talented they are.
"The IOC?s failure to demand that participating nations comply with the
Olympic Charter has resulted in an Olympics that is not a level playing
field and is far from equal," said Mr Tatchell
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