The Athens Olympics of 2004, European year of education through sport, have asked the EU Commission and the member States to give priority to projects that encourage sport among women, and that guarantee equality of rights in top-level sports for both male and female athletes. For women athletes it is also necessary to take measures aimed at preventing or halting sexual molestation and abuse in sport. Initiatives have also been proposed to safeguard their health. Finally, it is to be hoped that there will be a greater participation of women in the decision-making processes of the sporting world and, to this end, member States and sport’s ruling bodies have been asked to make subsidies to sporting associations conditional on statutory provisions that guarantee a balanced representation of men and women at all levels. It has also been requested that the participation of women be promoted as referees and competition judges.
