O’Donnell pushes for a level playing field

A FAN-FRIENDLY timeslot and a welcome celebration have consolidated the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race (CEGORR) as a major cycling event that gives female athletes the recognition they deserve, former Australian time trial champion Bridie O’Donnell (pictured front left above) says.

Dr O’Donnell was appointed as the inaugural head of the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation in November.

With the new state government office aiming for gender equality across sport and recreation, she is pleased to see the Elite Women’s Race leading the way with a level playing field.

The 2016 UCI world hour record-holder will be guest speaker at Surf Coast Shire’s Welcome Wave event, which will recognise the elite female riders at the Torquay SLSC from 5.30pm on January 24.

“It’s important that we celebrate elite female athletes through events such as the Welcome Wave, so their achievements and performances can be understood by the audience at the event, and to fans and spectators following the race.

“For too long, women’s road races have been poorly promoted events scheduled for times of the day that weren’t fan-friendly, and the stories about the riders weren’t celebrated as much as they could.”

Only the Elite Men’s Race will be covered live, and Dr O’Donnell hoped that this would change next year.

“Ultimately, fans and spectators of cycling want to see the best in the world competing against each other, and more coverage will ensure this,” she said.

“We want to ensure that our best Australian riders and their European and American teammates have their talents celebrated in the same way that their male peers do.”

The women’s sport advocate – a seven-time national rowing champion and three-time cycling world championships competitor – said it was encouraging that gender equity had progressed in some sports.

She said local sporting clubs could improve gender equity by making their environment more inclusive and welcoming to girls and women.

“Sometimes this is as simple as providing flexible training and competition schedules but it can also be improved by ensuring equitable use of grounds, courts or equipment; providing equitable change room facilities; and encouraging clubs and organisations to represent their members by ensuring diversity of age, gender and background on their committees and boards.”

Meanwhile, due to injuries sustained in an accident while racing in the Tour Down Under at the weekend, Macey Stewart has not been able to write her column for this paper this week. Get well soon, Macey.