IOC Women and Sport Awards; Rogge Honored by Journalists

IOC Honors Gender Equity Efforts in Sport

Ahlam Salem Mubarak Al Mana received the IOC’s top award for women in sport.

On Monday, the IOC released the list of six Women and Sport award recipients.

Al Mana earned the World Trophy for her work as President of the Qatar Women’s Sport Committee. In a statement, the IOC said: "Al Mana is a pioneer for women’s rights in Qatar. Since being appointed President of the Qatar Women’s Sport Committee, Ms. Al Mana has played an active role in popularizing sport among schoolgirls."

Through her work, Qatar had its first female Olympians, sending four to the London Olympics.

The IOC Women and Sport Awards recognize efforts to promote gender equality through sport and are awarded annually.

Women or organizations from five continents received awards in addition to the World Trophy.

Djènè Saran Camara, earned the award for Africa, works to promote women’s participation in sport through her work on the National Olympic Committee of Guinea Executive Board.

Marlene Bjornsrud is the award recipient from the Americas. Bjornsrud and Olympic football stars Brandi Chastain and Julie Found cofounded the Bay Area Women’s Sport Initiative.

Thai Weightlifting Association President Boossaba Yodbangtoey was recognized for Asia. Under her leadership, Thai women’s weightlifting has improved on the world stage.

Ona Baboniene, head of the Lithuanian parliamentary committee for sport, was honored for women’s rights efforts as an administrator.

Catherine Alice Wong, the recipient from Oceania, coordinated the Fiji Rugby Medical Union support Group.

IOC Women and Sport Commission Chairwoman Anita DeFrantz said in statement: "As I congratulate each of the recipientsof this year’s Women and Sport Awards, I hope that they will continue to dedicate themselves towards our shared goal of equality in sport. Together, we can make a difference and provide a bright future for our daughters, granddaughters and generations to come."

IOC President Jacques Rogge echoed her sentiments adding that more work is needed for true gender equity.

"Following the gender equality landmarks that we witnessed at the London Games, we must continue to build on the progress we have made through our successful collaborations with the United Nations and other allies by strengthening and expanding those partnerships. Having seen great successes in the strive for gender equality on the field, we will now need to step up our efforts in integrating more women in leadership and administrative structures."

Rogge Honored by International Press

AIPS, the international association for sports journalists, honored IOC President Jacques Rogge with a Power of Sports award.

In a statement, AIPS said the award underlined "the important role Rogge has played for the Olympic movement."

Around 200 people gathered at the ‘Spirit of Sport’ event. Aside from Rogge, AIPS recognized 18 individuals with awards and diplomas.

Power of Sports award winners included Nawal El Moutawakel, May El Khalil, and Erlingur Johansson.

CIFP Act of Fair Play winners were Amin Motavassel Zadeh, Darius Draudvila, and Gao Feng.

Walther Tröger and Tegla Chepkite Loroupe received CIFP Promotion of Fair Play awards.

AIPS honored Edwin Moses with a CIFP Sports Career award.

Written by Nicole Bennett.

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