Nicole Hoevertsz at the UN: “Sport can help break down barriers and challenge gender norms”

In the framework of the 60th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York (CSW60), and following the side event co-organised by the IOC, the Brazilian government and UN Women on the theme of “2030 Agenda – the contribution of sport to achieve gender equality and end violence against women and girls”, Nicole Hoevertsz addressed the members of this Commission. 

Nicole Hoevertsz stressed that the programme approved by the IOC for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires would for the first time see the same number of male and female competitors.

Nicole Hoevertsz explained that the IOC has trained hundreds of women on five continents in leadership skills and in the ability to identify and dismantle areas of discrimination. It is creating a mentorship programme with iconic sports figures and female sports administrators; involving young female athletes in youth sessions at IOC World Conferences; and ensuring that both men and women are targeted in new system-wide outreach programmes.