Gabriela Sabatini, winner of the IOC’s world Women and Sport Trophy

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, celebrated on the 8th of March, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) presented its prestigious world Women and Sport Trophy for the year 2006. The award ceremony took place at the International Labour Organisation (ILO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

This distinguished recognition was bestowed upon the accomplished Argentinean tennis player, Gabriela Sabatini, for her remarkable contributions to sports and gender equality. Additionally, the IOC honored five exceptional individuals from different continents, namely Albertine Barbosa Andrade from Senegal, Charmaine Crooks from Canada, Elisa Lee from Korea, Dominique Petit from France, and Lorraine Mar from Fiji.

These extraordinary women were selected by the IOC Women and Sport Commission, chaired by IOC member Anita L. DeFrantz, from a pool of candidates nominated by National Olympic Committees and International Federations of Olympic sports.

Gabriela Sabatini’s selection as the recipient of the world Women and Sport Trophy in 2006 was a testament to her stellar achievements both on and off the tennis court. Renowned for her 27 singles titles, 12 doubles titles, and a silver medal at the 1988 Olympic Games, Sabatini’s dedication to promoting and nurturing tennis, especially among young girls in Argentina, is equally commendable. Following her retirement from active competition in 1996, she redirected her energy and passion into supporting the sport she loved. Sabatini initiated a program for aspiring young tennis players, fully funding it through the national tennis federation. She also sponsored women’s tennis tournaments and organized free tennis clinics for children, all while remaining largely out of the public eye.

In Africa, Albertine Gonçalves, a prominent figure in Senegalese sports and a member of a family deeply rooted in cycling, earned the continental trophy. She achieved the remarkable distinction of becoming the first African woman to lead a sports federation when she assumed the presidency of the cycling federation in 1983.

Her tireless efforts to advocate for gender diversity in sports led to the reservation of at least two seats for women on the Senegalese National Olympic Committee’s Executive Committee. She continues to be a trailblazer in the realm of women in sports through her leadership in the NOC’s Women and Sport Commission and her instrumental role in founding the Senegalese Association of Female Reporters.

Charmaine Crooks, who received the trophy for the Americas, left an indelible mark on the track and the Olympic movement. She represented Canada for nearly two decades as an athlete, amassing accolades such as a silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

Her commitment to athletes and the Olympic cause extended to her service as a member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission and subsequent IOC membership. She played an active role in various sports organizations, including the IOC Press Commission, World Olympians Association, Canadian NOC, and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Crooks’ unwavering passion for sports and her advocacy for athletes, youth, and women in sports have made her a prominent figure on television for over a decade.

Elisa Lee, the trophy recipient for Asia, embarked on an illustrious journey as an athlete, coach, and sports leader in Korea. Her connection with table tennis began at the age of 10, propelling her to become a decorated athlete, coach of the women’s Olympic team, and a pioneer in establishing the Korean Women’s Sports Association.

Armed with a Ph.D., she transitioned into sports administration, assuming the role of Director of the Korean Physical Education Association for Girls and Women in 2002. In 2005, she took charge of Korean high-performance sport as the first female Chief of the NOC’s Athletes Training Centre, extending her influence beyond table tennis and women’s sports.

Dominique Petit, the trophy recipient for Europe, shattered gender barriers as the first female technical director of a French national federation for an Olympic sport, volleyball. She was instrumental in organizing the European Women and Sport Conference in 2004, a pivotal event within the European Women and Sport (EWAS) network.

Petit’s emphasis on training and supervision in both technical and managerial aspects significantly enhanced the skills of female coaches. Currently, she leads the “Making the Most of Human Resources” section of the NOC, continuously engaging in awareness-raising and training initiatives throughout France.

Lorraine Mar, the recipient of the trophy for Oceania, dedicated her life to the development of badminton among girls and women in Fiji and the broader Oceania region. After an illustrious athletic career in badminton and tennis, she assumed roles within the Fiji Badminton Association and the NOC.

Through her dedication and determination, women’s badminton participation flourished, with some of the talents she discovered now part of the national elite squad. Mar ensured that women and girls had access to training programs through the Oceania Badminton Association.

These extraordinary women, Gabriela Sabatini, Albertine Gonçalves, Charmaine Crooks, Elisa Lee, Dominique Petit, and Lorraine Mar, serve as inspiring examples of resilience, dedication, and the significant impact individuals can have within and beyond the world of sports.

They’ve paved the way for women in sports, promoting inclusivity, gender equality, and the values of Olympism. Their tireless efforts demonstrate that the true essence of sport transcends the field of play, encompassing empowerment and progress for women worldwide.