Women are standing up for their sports
Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics, once noted “the applause of women as recompense” in the male-dominated world of sport. Having been merely spectators, it hadn’t been until the last decade that women even came close to equalling men in the Games.
Overall, female athletes account for approximately 1/3 of the total athletes that compete in the Olympics, and the 2004 Athens games were actually the first and only games in which Canada sent more female athletes than male - granted, it was only a one-athlete difference. Also, implemented recently was a rule stating that any new sport introduced into the games must accommodate both men’s and women’s disciplines.
However, with the elimination of women’s ski jumping as an official sport, the spotlight was again placed on the gender and equality issues the world of sport faces. “It shows that the work’s not finished,” commented Karin Lofstrom, a member of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Gender and Equity board. “We’ve mad some great strides but we’re still not on a level playing field.”
Lofstrom works for the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS). As a former member of Basketball Canada as well as Figure Skating Canada, and current executive director of CAAWS, she strives to create more opportunity for females to become involved in sports, and ultimately promotes healthy living and being active.
“Initially a lot of the work was revolved around participation. I think we’ve made some good strides there,” she Lofstrom. “There is still work to be done in getting women in decision-making positions: leadership, coaching, boards, etc.”
Discrimination against female athletes used to be blatantly displayed - women weren’t allowed to play hockey, for example. Now that women can participate in sport, prejudice has simply become more subtle.
“When you have boards of all men, but half the athletes are women, that doesn’t make sense,” Lofstrom says.
Another problem faced by women’s teams, varsity especially, is funding. “The women’s programs have a harder time”, says Lofstrom, “There never seems to be enough resources going around for girls’ sports.” A team’s success is usually the basis for funding allotment, but with the continued domination of most Laurier women’s athletic programs, this doesn’t seem to be the case.
Wilfrid Laurier actually has a long-standing history of excellence in women’s sports. The women’s hockey team has won the last five OUA championships in a row, and the women’s lacrosse team went undefeated this season, winning their sixth championship.
On an International level - with all of the hype surrounding the men’s team at the World Junior hockey tournament - many people may not have realized the women’s tournament began this week. Our very own Golden Hawk goaltender Liz Knox was even chosen to be a part of the team to represent Canada.
“Canada, I’d say, is actually ahead of the world on these kinds of issues. But until other countries that don’t have the same philosophies change, it will be hard-pressed,” adds Lofstrom. “We are making progress; you see the changes in new generations.” Men in power are having daughters and wanting them to be involved in sports, seeing the opportunities their sons get. “I think attitudes change that way.”
Equality in sports isn’t about depreciating men, nor about co-ed and mixed-gendered sports, says Lofstrom. Though an athlete such as Hayley Wickenheiser might be able to keep up with more aggressive players, “Physically in most cases this would be dangerous,” she added.
The idea is simply about females of all ages being given the opportunity to play and compete; to coach and officiate; to be healthy and active and to enjoy the basis of sport philosophy. “Sport is part of every man and woman’s heritage and its absence can never be compensated for.” Pierre de Coubertin said it best himself.
