Let's end bias in sport

BY: MARK COHEN • social responsibility • 08.03.2022

During the last few days, ODLO has shared stories and comments from across our network about gender bias and inequality in sport as part of the #BreaktheBias International Women’s Day movement.

Why are men’s pro contracts bigger? Why is weightlifting a “man thing?” Why do some sports depict only certain athlete types? Doesn’t make much sense, does it? 

We asked people with whom we work to share their thoughts and comments on their own #BreaktheBias experiences. Here’s a small sample. 

Happy IWD, everyone. Let’s celebrate sport without prejudice. And keep going out there, regardless of what anyone says to or about you.  

Cindy Winterfeldt is a freelance photographer based in Brandenburg (@cindywinterfeldt):

“I've often heard that football is only for boys or men. Why? And why do male footballers still earn so much more than female footballers?”

Nora Nova is a model and dancer (@noranova_):

“I’ve always been an out there and give it all character. Some people don’t think that’s a female trait. I work out. I have abs. I am an athletic body type. I eat plant based. It's what I stand for.

I'm a woman and I’m the only one capable of defining my femininity.

Let's remind ourselves to not categorize by closing our eyes, but to keep looking at things with an open heart.”

Serap Yavuz (@seraplicious) is a blogger and television personality: 

“I’d like to use this day to expose some prejudices, sure. Like being stared at or corrected by men while training - this has happened to me countless times. Women also know how to train and how to achieve, right? 

I still hear from women that we become masculine and broad by weight training. Nonsense! I've been weight training for 8 years and as a result I'm fitter, have better posture and a tighter silhouette. 

Let's create a world without prejudice together.” 

Clara Fotomania is a France-based photographer and blogger (@clarafotomania):

“When I started hiking alone, I had a lot of remarks like, “is a woman alone in nature dangerous?” 

“I always wanted to be free, without worrying about the consideration of others and above all not letting them transfer their fears onto me. In the mountains, I feel alive, it's a place where I can be myself.”

Daria Kolodziej is a fitness model otherwise known as @kandykoat: 

“During my fitness journey I’ve experienced many kinds of bias. I had many people telling me that lifting heavy weights is not good for me. That this is a sport “only for men.”

“Enough already. It’s time to create a world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination.” 

International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality. 

Find out more about the International Women’s Day campaign and bias in sport here: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Mission/Sport.