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World Athletics prioritises campaign against gender-based violence

Image caption,Rebecca Cheptegei finished 44th in the marathon at the Paris Olympics

Harry Poole

Published4 December 2024

World Athletics says it has identified campaigning against gender-based violence as a priority.

Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei became the third athlete to be killed in Kenya in the past three years after she was doused in petrol and set on fire by a former boyfriend in September.

The World Athletics Athletes’ Commission called on World Athletics to take a leadership role and explore partnerships with relevant organisations to push for change.

Athletes’ Commission chair Valerie Adams said: “In a sport as diverse and universal as athletics, it is rare to see athletes from different countries, disciplines and socio-economic backgrounds agree on something as unanimously as the topic of gender-based violence.”

New Zealand’s retired two-time Olympic shot put champion Adams added: “We as athletes are in a unique position to leverage our profiles and social influence in our communities to lobby for change. It will take a concerted effort from all of us to be leaders in the space to influence and drive the change we need.”

Cheptegei’s death came after 10km world-record holder Agnes Tirop was stabbed to death in 2021 and, six months later, long-distance runner Damaris Mutua was strangled.

In a statement following the 236th World Athletics Council Meeting in Monaco, World Athletics said “recent high-profile cases in Africa [have sent] shockwaves through the sport”.

It added: “Gender-based violence is a global issue, with all 18 members of the Athletes’ Commission – from 18 different countries across all six areas – highlighting the impact and extent of gender-based violence in their regions.”

While accepting World Athletics’ limited jurisdiction outside the sport, the Athletes’ Commission said it hoped World Athletics can drive change through raising awareness, education and lobbying for change.

Coe ‘welcomes’ Johnson’s Grand Slam Track

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said the organisation “welcomes” the emergence of Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track, which is set for its inaugural season in 2025.

American four-time Olympic champion Johnson launched Grand Slam Track in June and its first season will see four Slams take place in Kingston, Miami, Philadelphia and Los Angeles with a prize pot of 12.6 million dollars (£10m) on offer.

Johnson told BBC Sport that he had held numerous conversations with World Athletics and aligned Grand Slam Track with the sport’s governing body’s aims.

“We should be comforted that we have created a landscape where people think it’s worth investing in our sport,” Coe told reporters following Wednesday’s meeting.

“It’s important that we work as collaborators and not competitors. I want them to be successful and add lustre to our sport. I think there is space for everybody as there is communication and calendar co-ordination.

“I don’t see it as a threat. You either work with competition or you don’t. Frankly this is an organisation that welcomes all sorts of innovation. We’ve shown we’re not afraid of that, and I wish Michael success.”