World Athletics says it has recognized campaigning in opposition to gender-based violence as a precedence.
Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei turned the third athlete to be killed in Kenya up to now three years after she was doused in petrol and set on hearth by a former boyfriend in September.
The World Athletics Athletes’ Fee known as on World Athletics to take a management position and discover partnerships with related organisations to push for change.
Athletes’ Fee chair Valerie Adams stated: “In a sport as numerous and common as athletics, it’s uncommon to see athletes from completely different nations, disciplines and socio-economic backgrounds agree on one thing as unanimously as the subject of gender-based violence.”
New Zealand’s retired two-time Olympic shot put champion Adams added: “We as athletes are in a singular place to leverage our profiles and social affect in our communities to foyer for change. It is going to take a concerted effort from all of us to be leaders within the area to affect and drive the change we’d like.”
Cheptegei’s loss of life got here after 10km world-record holder Agnes Tirop was stabbed to loss of life in 2021 and, six months later, long-distance runner Damaris Mutua was strangled.
In a press release following the 236th World Athletics Council Assembly in Monaco, World Athletics stated “current high-profile circumstances in Africa [have sent] shockwaves by way of the game”.
It added: “Gender-based violence is a world situation, with all 18 members of the Athletes’ Fee – from 18 completely different nations throughout all six areas – highlighting the affect and extent of gender-based violence of their areas.”
Whereas accepting World Athletics’ restricted jurisdiction outdoors the game, the Athletes’ Fee stated it hoped World Athletics can drive change by way of elevating consciousness, training and lobbying for change.
