World Athletics says it has made the campaign against gender-based violence a priority.
Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has become the third athlete to die in Kenya in the past three years after being doused in petrol and burned by an ex-boyfriend in September.
The World Athletics Commission called on the World Athletics Federation to take the lead and explore partnerships with relevant organizations to drive change.
Athletes Commission President Valerie Adams said: “In a sport as diverse and universal as athletics, it is rare to see athletes from different countries, disciplines and socio-economic backgrounds agree on something as unanimous as the topic of gender-based violence .”
Retired New Zealand two-time Olympic shot put champion Adams added: “As athletes, we are in a unique position to use our profiles and social influence in our communities to lobby for change. It will take a collective effort from all of us to be leaders in the space to we influence and promote the changes we need.”
Cheptegei’s death comes after 10km world record holder Agnes Tirop was stabbed to death in 2021 and long-distance runner Damaris Mutua was strangled six months later.
In a statement after the 236th session of the World Athletics Council in Monaco, World Athletics said “the recent high-profile cases in Africa (sent) shockwaves through the sport”.
He added: “Gender-based violence is a global issue, with all 18 members of the Athletics Commission – from 18 different countries across all six fields – highlighting the impact and extent of gender-based violence in their regions.”
While accepting the limited remit of World Athletics outside of sport, the Athletes’ Commission expressed the hope that World Athletics can promote change through awareness-raising, education and lobbying for change.
