2011 SU Update: IAAF Women’s Chair, Claire Chehab, Puts Faith in FISU

SHENZHEN – On August 14, at the Women’s Round Table Conference organized as a part of the Universiade in Shenzhen,FISU made history by signing the Brighton Declaration on Women and Sport.  This declaration provides the principles intended to increase the involvement of women in sport at all levels and in all functions and roles. Present at the Round Table in Shenzhen were members of several sports federations includingBWF, FIBA, FITA, IAAF, WKF, UNESCO and IOC. One prominent member and female leader in the sporting world that took part in the conference was Mrs. Claire Chehab, Chair of the IAAF Women’s Committee and former Lebanese fencer and long jumper. Sonja Nikcevic, FISU Young Reporter/SRB asked the questions.

“The Women’s Round Table today was a big step. In the International Athletics Federation we are very concerned about women in sports and dedicated to the cause of gaining equality. We feel that being active in this cause will help federations form strategies to help female athletes and female leaders in sport. This is what we consider to be most important – integration women in national and international federations and organizing committees worldwide. ”

How important is for the Women’s Committee to have FISU’s support and signature on the Brighton Declaration?

“It is beyond important. Our main goal is to spread awareness and influence, and the more support we have, from women in university positions, from female students and athletes and from FISU, the better. It is important for our progress to be present everywhere and our new partnership with the University Sports Federation is a positive leap.”

Do you believe that male and female athletes have equal opportunities on a university level and how much of a change do you thinkFISUsigning the Brighton Declaration can change and improve these opportunities?

“As far as the athletic side is concerned, both on a university and professional level, women are equal. On the stadiums, there isn’t a rift anymore. What we are working for is to have more leadership positions for females, and FISU’s support will be an immense help.”

As a female leader of a sports federation and former athlete, how much do you feel opportunities for females in sports have improved since the first women’s conference inBrightonin 1994?

“Yes, 1994 was the year when things started to change for women in sports, but they did not progress as fast as one would hope. On stadiums and fields yes, we are finally equal, but there is still a lot to do as far as leadership positions are concerned.”

As a mother of five, and grandmother you have experienced the whole specter of being a female athlete, having both family and sports obligations, how would you describe this and the difficulties you might have encountered?

“The most important thing is having a strong support team. When my children where young and when they needed me, I had people all around willing to help, their grandparents, my friends, my husband. He is the one who pushed me to continue being active in sports, because he knew it was the right thing for me. Now things are much easier, with computers people can both work from home and always be ready and also stay in touch with family when abroad.”

Do you have any advice for young females also aspiring to have a family and a successful athletic or leadership career?

“My main advice, to all young people is to be involved in sports as much as possible. The effects can only be positive. And of course, it is possible to be successful athletically and to be a good parent.”

And to finish off, does the Brighton Declaration include equality for women in sports journalism?

“Yes, of course. I myself appointed a female sports journalist in the Asian Swimming Committee, because we need you. You are the ones in contact with everybody, with athletes, coaches, leaders, and you are the ones spreading the word. A lot of our power and progress depends on journalists, which is also why we fight for women in sports journalism as well. We need you.”

(Source: Sonja Nikcevic, FISU Young Reporter/SRB)

Claire Chehab (IAAF)