World Athletics says it has recognized campaigning towards gender-based violence as a precedence.
Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei grew to become the third athlete to be killed in Kenya previously three years after she was doused in petrol and set on hearth by a former boyfriend in September.
The World Athletics Athletes’ Fee referred to 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 should take a concerted effort from all of us to be leaders within the house to affect and drive the change we want.”
Cheptegei’s dying got here after 10km world-record holder Agnes Tirop was stabbed to dying in 2021 and, six months later, long-distance runner Damaris Mutua was strangled.
In an announcement following the 236th World Athletics Council Assembly in Monaco, World Athletics stated “latest high-profile instances in Africa [have sent] shockwaves by means of the game”.
It added: “Gender-based violence is a worldwide challenge, with all 18 members of the Athletes’ Fee – from 18 completely different nations throughout all six areas – highlighting the impression and extent of gender-based violence of their areas.”
Whereas accepting World Athletics’ restricted jurisdiction exterior the game, the Athletes’ Fee stated it hoped World Athletics can drive change by means of elevating consciousness, schooling and lobbying for change.
