SPORT 1913 - 2013

part two_CHAPTER 8

fence. Equality should also be reconsidered. In the future the CSIT could be the centre for de- veloping mixed practices for its Games. Resist Against the Commercialization of Sport Since 1998 Annick Davisse, Sport and youth inspector, and Catherine Louveau, sociologist, suggest ways that are still prevailing. They no- tice that the access of women to sport is always blocked by a symbolic and internalized barrier. This is shown by the comment of women liv- ing in working class quarters concerning fit- ness: “This is not for us.” So, how to act in such a way that “this” becomes for them? The two authors say that the inaccessibility has to end, it only produces at best the need, at worst the discouragement, and prefer correcting the types of activities that help women of working class quarters, women as white or blue collar workers, unemployed women to take the lib- erty of enjoying leisure time for themselves (Davisse and Louveau, 1998). In this context, the associations and the public sector have the main responsibility to create a public service and an adapted offer to fight against commer- cializing systems which create and pervert needs without preoccupation for the well-be- ing and emancipation of humans. Therefore it is important to intervene for building a new cultural field which extends the possibilities of choosing sport practices. The sociologist Catherine Louveau (2012) points out that the best way to fight against inequalities is to make these disparities and

the pretext of allowing every country to send women to Olympic Games and hiding politi- cal or financial mood, seventeen national committees sent women wearing veils. In the same hypocritical context, the IOC follows the position of the “Fédération Internationale de Football Association” (FIFA), allowing a new interpretation of the article 50 of the Olympic Charter and affirming that these garments (veils) and signs do not have a religious mean- ing but are only the reflection of a cultural habit. To celebrate the International Women’s Day, the IOC organises its world conference in 2012 with the topic sport and women … What do we have to worry about next? Returning to Olympic Games first for men and then for women? Imposing gender-diversity or equality will never be the only answer to the challenge of egalitarianism and emancipation of all men and women. Does imposing a minimum of two girls in a football team not comply with a real gender-diversity? The conditions to be created are important, in a way that everybody gets their position. For this purpose the gov- ernments, the sport associations, trainers and teachers have to assume their responsibilities. Resources have to be released, either by rais- ing funds or by implementing new practices. Conclusion More than a hundred years ago on March 8 th , 1910 in Copenhagen, on the occasion of the 2 nd international conference of socialist women, Clara Zetkin suggested the creation of the “In-

discriminations visible. Owing to feminist movements which allowed social progress and the acquisition of rights, and despite a multi- tude of laws, women are still destined only for the role of mother or to be a plastic muse for advertisements. The debate concerning equal salaries for men and women clearly shows this conflict. Basically the question is not the in- equality of salary but the inequality of getting jobs with a high potential of responsibility and therefore with a high level of remunera- tion. In sports the question is the same. It is a question of class struggle and at the same time a struggle between genders. Anticipating the Obstacles of the 21 st Century During the election campaign for the French presidency, finally won by François Hollande on May 6 th , 2012, only the socialist party and the Front de Gauche have made real sugges- tions such as the implementation of equality in sport instances and the reaffirmation of principles of Laïcité (separation of church and state) and gender-diversity in sport teams and in competitions. In a context of economic dif- ficulties we are confronted to questions of de- mocracy. Obstacles are still persisting, some are completely ignored by the public sector, and some are new. What should we think about growing sex tourism parallel to big sport events? What should we think about women wearing a veil while participating to the London Olympic Games and the authorisation given by the In- ternational Olympic Committee (IOC)? Under

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