Press Releases

IOC’s decision packs a positive punch for women’s sport

Today’s decision by the IOC to put women’s boxing on the Olympic stage is being celebrated by the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF).

Sue Tibballs, CEO of WSFF comments: “We are delighted that women’s boxing will be at London 2012. With the sport dating back to the 1720s, it’s been a long, hard, fight to get to today’s decision, but we hope it represents a wider move towards gender equality at the Games.

“In Beijing 165 medals were available to men versus 127 to women. The Olympics and Paralympics offer one (rare) stage where men and women enjoy a similar spotlight in terms of the interest and media coverage it receives, so to then face such massive discrepancies in the medals available is just not right.

“Women were first allowed to compete in the Olympic stadium in 1922; ninety years on, we hope London 2012 will show real progress for sportswomen.”

WSFF research* shows that over 80% of women don’t do enough physical activity to benefit their health and young women are half as active as young men.  The campaigning charity is hoping that London 2012 will play an important role in motivating women and girls to get active. The equality and visibility of women’s sport is therefore vital.

 

-ENDS-

 

For more information and the opportunity to interview a representative from WSFF please contact Harriet Foxwell on 020 72731744 / 07977138964 / [email protected]

 

Notes to editors

*It’s time, 2007  

WSFF

The Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF) is the charity that works to make physical activity an integral part of life for women and girls.

Today, 80% of women don’t do enough physical activity to benefit their health, half of young women think it is more important to be thin than healthy and only 2% of newspaper sports coverage is dedicated to women’s sport.

WSFF is working to change these statistics by:

  • Providing consultancy support to help sport and fitness deliverers give the customer what she wants
  • Working with the media and brands to foster a culture in which being active is attractive
  • Persuading senior decision makers to use their influence and resources to help achieve our vision.