Women’s Sport Developing Much Faster

Women's sport is growing faster than men's and becoming more competitive, according to a Paralympic gold medalist.

Women’s sport is growing at a faster rate then men’s and becoming more competitive by the year, according to multi-Paralympic Winter Games gold medalist Verena Bentele.

Speaking to www.paralympic.org, the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC’s) website, in the lead-up to United Nations International Women’s Day on March 8, the 28-year-old German skier who has a visual impairment said she was delighted to see not only a greater number of women now practicing sport but also a greater quality.

“I am convinced sport for women has become more and more ambitious and that the level of competition has risen,” said Bentele who recently picked up a Laureus World Sports Award to mark her achievement in winning five gold medals at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

“This has been the same for men’s sport, but I think the development of women’s sport has been much faster. I also think women’s sport is being taken more seriously now.

“In Paralympic sport, there has been a huge development in the past 10–15 years. The starting fields have grown, and the competition has become tougher.

“My personal opinion is that previously women in sport were often reduced to their looks, and the focus was not on their sporting talent. There has definitely been a change—and a very positive one at that,” Bentele added.

Although Bentele is pleased women’s sport is heading in the right direction, she believes many challenges still lie ahead, particularly in the area of coaching.

“There is definitely a challenge that you have to stand your ground with male functionaries and coaches,” she said.

“Although more women are becoming coaches, it is still dominated by men. This means women have a different standing, and I have experienced it myself. It is a challenge to stand your grounds and ask for your rights.”

Having competed at the elite level of Paralympic sport and won nearly every medal and award available, Bentele is a role model for all women aspiring to get into sport. Her advice to others is quite straightforward.

“Look for a sport where you have some talent, that you have fun practicing, and look for people who can support you, be it your coach, your friends, or your family.

“With that support, try to reach the goals you set yourself. That has always helped me. For example, when I had problems with male coaches, I looked for the support somewhere else.”

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement. Founded in 1989, IPC is an international nonprofit organization formed and run by 167 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) from five regions and four disability specific international sports federations (IOSDs). The IPC Headquarters and its management team are located in Bonn, Germany.

IPC is committed to enabling Paralympic athletes to achieve sporting excellence and to developing sport opportunities for all persons with a disability, from beginner to elite level. In addition, IPC aims to promote the Paralympic values, which in­clude courage, deter­mina­tion, inspiration, and equality.

Contact: Craig Spence, IPC Media and Communications Senior Manager, craig.spence@paralympic.org / www.paralympic.org / www.ParalympicSport.TV.

 

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