Scent of a Woman

Ioanna Karyofylli

European Paralympic Committee Member

Hellenic Paralympic Committee Member

General Manager ATHENS 2004 Paralympic Games

Women in Paralympic Sport Leadership Summit for Europe  

No (wo)mans land • In the Past women did not participate in

• Science • Arts • Society • Literature

• Only very few exceptions

• This “avaton” – (barrier) existed also in sports

• First women participated in Paris Olympic Games 1900

• Charlotte Cooper won first Gold Medal in Tennis

• Until the 2nd World War no further progress

First participationFirst participation

• The last 30 years social conditions have changed

• Mentality and attitude changed

• 1976 – 1992 tremendous progress

First participation (continued)First participation (continued)

Paralympic Games

Atlanta 1996

2397 Men 780 Women (24,5%)

Sydney 2000

2689 Men 978 Women (25,4%)

Athens 2004

2763 Men 1206 Women (30,4%)

• Participation still very limited

• Limited presence all over the world

• Also in European Countries

• Existed in a great extend in Greece in the past

• In a smaller scale still exists today

Women in decision positions in Sport

Step by step …

• Public servant in the Deputy Ministry of sport since 1981

• 1989 I took the position of Director of Sport for people with a disability

• Promising message:

•both the State and the sports associations had the same vision to develop sports for people with a disability

New framework for sport for people with a disability in Greece

• A new institutional framework for sport for people with a disability was completed

• New Law now ensured that disabled athletes got equal treatment with non-disabled athletes

• Formation of the National Paralympic Sports Federations and the establishment of a new Paralympic Committee

Step 2 – President of the HPC

• First woman who had been President of the Paralympic Committee in Greece

• Person without any disability in my family environment

• I had, firstly, to persuade that “I could and I wanted” and secondly to “organise and implement

• Peak at the Paralympic Games of Sydney.

2nd StepHellenic Paralympic Committee

• President of the Hellenic Paralympic Committee until May 2004

• Member from 2000 until 2007

• Active and dynamic presence

3rd Step ATHENS 2004Paralympic Games Division

• Consultant to all ATHENS 2004 Divisions

• Developed communication specific projects to raise awareness

Mission StatementFocusing on the athlete and not on disability, the Athens Paralympic Games will provide to the spectators, viewers and volunteers a unique experience showcasing the athletes’ pursuit of a lifetime performance.

Vision

The ATHENS 2004 Paralympic Games will present an elite competition of the highest standards, integrated with a unique historical, cultural and natural environment.

Kalipateira

• Kalipateira was founded 30 years ago and is the only purely women’s sport association recognized by the ministry of Sport and the Hellenic Olympic and Paralympic Committee.

• Major objectives of “Kalipateira” dissemination of the Olympic Ideal and the promotion of sport among youth.

Conclusion • Promote the role of women in administration and decision-making centers

• Increase the number of women participating at administrative level

• Support the career of women by providing them more opportunities to participate in administraqtive level

• Creation of the necessary mechanisms that would safeguard young women having a word to say

• Encourage Mass media to cover the quality, and benefits that females get from Sports

Scent of a Woman

Women - Creative in their nature• Creativity• Persistence • Endurance • Diplomacy• Sensitivity • Fantasy

• For the excellence and the success you need both halves – Men and Women