Swedish proposal voted down
Posted on | August 27, 2016 | Category: News
The Swedish Orienteering Federation’s proposal to equalise the winning times for the women’s and men’s long distance race was not approved by the IOF General Assembly. The Swedish Orienteering Federation amended their proposal from the floor, removing the section regarding the exact winning times, making the vote a matter of principle only. The IOF Council supported this amendment, and were in support of the proposal being approved.
Lengthy discussions were held, with arguments both for and against presented.
It was pointed out that the female athletes were being cheated of the full enjoyment of a longer race, and that there is no indication that women should not be able to run for as long as men. Furthermore, it was argued that in the interest of developing the sport in line with the values of equality which orienteering proudly upholds, the proposal should be approved.
However, arguments were also presented that equalising the winning times would most likely mean a lengthening of the women’s long distance race, which would damage the broadcastability of the event, and also risk a decrease in the number of participants in the women’s class. Moreover, the idea was put forward that the status of the medallists is already seen as equal today, despite the different time lengths of the courses, and subsequently the objective of equality is already achieved.
In the end, the majority of the General Assembly voted against the proposal from the Swedish Orienteering Federation.
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