The Vendée Globe wants to reflect on the integration of maternity for its event. LOIC VENANCE / AFP
The Minister of Sports announced on Monday to strengthen support for women in professional sport as well as the establishment of a committee by the Vendée Globe to integrate parenthood into the event.
After the lively controversy, place to the reaction. And possible advances. The Minister of Sports, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, launched on Monday some ways to improve the situation of high-level sportswomen who choose to become a mother during their career during a morning of debates on women’s sport at the Maison du handball located in Créteil. While the sailing world has been shaken by the case of Clarisse Crémer who, according to her, was unable to qualify for the Vendée Globe 2024 due to her maternity, the question of having children for sportswomen is back on the table in a world of women’s sport in the process of being structured.
Among the avenues launched by the Ministry of Sports: integrating the “parenthood criterion” in the aid criteria of the National Sports Agency (ANS) or the extension from one to two years on the registration of the list of high-level athletes for “leave time” Women’s. The Sports Department will also look into the sports regulations which must “ensure that maternity is taken into account“. The president of the Vendée Globe, Alain Leboeuf, indicated that a committee, chaired by Patricia Brochard (Sodebo), was looking into the subject with a view to the 2028 edition, in order to “secure applications“.
Read alsoSailing: “In shock”, Clarisse Crémer deprived of Vendée Globe after her maternity
Amélie Oudéa-Castéra also mentioned “the creation of a cross-functional operational unit“. The fencer Astrid Guyard, secretary general of the French Olympic Committee (CNOSF), currently pregnant, pointed out the fact that “it’s easier when you’re number one in your sport“. “What about replacements?“, she launched. “Too often for them the choice of motherhood is a risk taking“and often they”give up” Or “repel“.
Representatives of the Women’s Basketball League have explained for their part that they want to conclude their collective agreement, integrating provisions on maternity, on July 1. Amélie Oudéa-Castéra also announced “unlock one million euros“as part of a”call for projects” with the National Sports Agency (ANS) for “eliminate gender biasin 200 French schoolyards. She shelled out some numbers: only “2 presidents of Olympic federations out of 36», «20% national technical directors” or “5% of broadcast volume devoted to women’s sport“. “5% is not worthy of our country“, she launched to the bosses of the sports of Canal +, France TV, beIN Sports and the Team together.
In this respect, a decree on events of major importance protecting them with unencrypted broadcasting – dating from 2004 – has been under discussion for several months. Asked about a timetable for the publication of this decree, which must go through the European authorities, Amélie Oudéa-Castera mentioned the prospect of “fall 2023“.
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