(ATR) New IOC vice president Nawal El Moutawakel tells Around the Rings the London Olympics marks a significant milestone for women in sport.
"It’s been a long wait for us," says El Moutawakel, who last week became the first woman from a predominantly Muslim nation to be elected to the vice presidency position on the IOC’s ruling board.
"To see every NOC represented by women for me is sensational…It will be a historic moment, the first time to see Saudis competing and to see girls from Qatar and Brunei.
"We have battled for it for so many years. This is very important. It sends a great message to young girls…it is important they see them as sports leaders. Because this is the only way to see them moving forward and bringing massive participation of women at all levels."
The Moroccan, who won gold in the 400m hurdles at the 1984 Los Angeles Games, applauds the IOC decision to hold a World Conference on Women in Sport, claiming it’s "very important" to gather all the stakeholders, NOCs and international federations every four years.
She dismisses fears that London might be a one-off with some countries such as Saudi Arabia banning their women from participating at Rio 2016. The 50-year-old is chair of the IOC coordination commission for the next Summer Games.
"I think the base it set and the future will be even better," she says, recalling how times have changed since 1984.
"I was the only female in my own delegation from Morocco, no woman as a doctor, no woman as a physiotherapist, no woman as a coach. For me, it was very, very strange.
"I tried to understand, at that moment, where are all the women who represent more than half the population of the globe? Where are they from the Arab world, Africa and other countries?"
Of Morocco’s 75-strong delegation to London 2012, she’s delighted that 32 are women athletes competing in a range of sports including athletics, boxing, wrestling, judo and taekwondo.
"I think it was a beautiful and peaceful revolution."
Reported by Mark Bisson
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