Women at the Olympics

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) promotes women in sports in an effort to increase participation in the games as well recognition of the well being of women and girls in sports at all levels of sports and different structures within sports. This is consistent with the Olympic charter which promotes equality within sports of men and women by including both genders in these competitions. The IOC as well as the International Federations (IFS) and National Olympic Committees (NOCs) have been committed to the mandates of this Olympic charter. Multiple measures have been taken toward increasing the participation of women at governing and administrative levels as well as training and education toward women in sport and the supporting administrative structures. Since 1991, all new sports asking to be included in the Olympic program must feature women’s events. The 2012 Olympic Games in London were the first Olympics where every participating country included female athletes. They were also the first Olympics in which women competed in all sports in the program. Women have competed in the Olympics since 1900, following an all-male Games in 1896.

The IOC is committed to promoting women's participation in sports as part of their sports administration. An attempt was made to have women occupy at least 20% of the decision making positions of the legislative bodies by the end of 2005, but the attempt failed.^[1] The objective of at least 10% by the end of 2000 however, was achieved. As of May 2014, 24 women are active IOC members, which is 22.6%.^[1] In 1990 the first woman, Flor Isava Fonseca, was elected to the Executive Board. The Vice President of the IOC from 1997-2001 was a woman, Anita DeFrantz.^[1] An increasing number of women are serving as chairpersons on IOC commissions.^[1] The NOCs are also making progress toward the objective with 11 NOCS headed by female presidents. IOC-Recognized Federations' executive boards are 26% women. Winter and Summer IFs boards are only 17% women.^[1]

There has been additional work from the IOC Women and Sport Commission, commissioned in 2004, after starting as a working group in 1995. Women in Sport Commission advises the IOC President and Executive Board to ensure equality with consideration of women in sport in policy making. The IOC has also done much work through programs developed to educate women in leadership roles toward success in administrative positions in NOCs and National Sports Federations. Furthermore, Olympic Solidarity programs assist NOCs participation in various ways, including a special Women and Sport assistance program. Every year the IOC awards the "Women and Sport " trophy to persons or organizations making a considerable contribution to women's sports.

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