On December 1st, 2023, the European Olympic Committees (EOC) Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI) Commission gathered in Helsinki, Finland, for its annual in-person meeting, which the Finnish Olympic Committee hosted. This significant event underscored the EOC's dedication to promoting equality and inclusion within European sports. It highlighted the valuable exchange of experiences and best practices from a meeting between the Chair and the Minister of Sport for Finland, Sandra Bergqvist, the previous day. The Commission meeting discussed ambitious goals and future actions to promote gender equality, diversity, and inclusion within the European Olympic community. The GEDI Commission outlined its objectives and aspirations to guide its efforts over the coming period using the International Olympic Committee Gender Equality Framework and the Key Strategic Priorities set out in the EOC Strategic Agenda 2030. These objectives encompass various areas within the Olympic ecosystem aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of the European sports movement. During the morning, the Commission had met with the Finnish National Equality Clinic to set out the state of play in European sports and celebrate the progress made so far, including reaching gender balance at the EOC Executive Committee. To embed a pipeline of future female leaders, the Commission is committed to gender balance across EOC Commissions and improving participation in EOC General Assemblies and European Seminars - vital for fostering inclusivity and diversity within the Olympic community. The European Olympic movement can set a positive example for the sports world by fostering inclusivity at the leadership level including in team leadership roles at EOC events: the European Games (EG) and European Youth Olympic Festivals (EYOFs) with a focus on ensuring diversity within local organizing committees to promote equal opportunities for all. The GEDI Commission has set the goal of making Europe a leading continent for gender equality by the time of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics by exploring initiatives to grow the number of female coaches and officials at EYOFs. The Commission recognizes the challenge of ensuring gender balance in the Executive Committee/Board of all European National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and having senior officers of both genders. Collaborative efforts, such as the current Erasmus+ GAMES project, coordinated by the EOC EU Office, which is working across eight NOCs, will be instrumental in promoting gender diversity. The Commission’s action plan will include steps to ensure a balanced portrayal of genders in EOC communication channels and events and provide support for National Olympic Committees (NOCs), National Federations (NFs), and media to focus on fair representation of female athletes. Ensuring the safety and well-being of athletes and their teams during EOC multi-sports competitions is a top priority. The GEDI Commission has set up an EOC Cross-Commission group to make recommendations regarding a comprehensive Safeguarding framework for events to safeguard the well-being of all participants. The annual meeting of the GEDI Commission in Helsinki marked the 10th anniversary of this vital EOC Commission. It represented a significant stride in the ongoing pursuit of gender equality, diversity, and inclusion within the European Olympic community. With clearly defined objectives, ambitious aspirations, and a steadfast commitment to safe sport and safeguarding, the EOC is poised to foster a more inclusive and secure environment for athletes, coaches, and all stakeholders participating in European Olympic events. These endeavors hold the potential to not only benefit the Olympic movement but also serve as a catalyst for inspiring positive transformations throughout the broader European sports landscape.
