World Athletics to prioritize action against gender-based violence

The World Athletics Council, through its Athletes' Commission and Gender Leadership Taskforce on Wednesday 4 December identified campaigning against gender-based violence as a priority.

The landmark decision was made during the final day of the 236th World Athletics Council Meeting in Monaco, where the Athlete’s Commission asked the sports governing body to take a leadership role for practical ideas that can help curb the global issue across the globe.

The call comes in the wake of recent high-profile cases of gender-based violence in the sport.

In September, Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei joined a long list of athletes to have died as a result of gender-based violence - including Kenya’s Agnes Tirop and Damaris Mutua - when she was doused with petrol, and set on fire by her alleged and now deceased lover.

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World Athletics, in their statement, said the recent cases in Africa had sent “shockwaves through the sport” and though aware of their limited jurisdiction, are willing to “use the space in which it does have jurisdiction to drive change through three main areas: raising awareness, education, and lobbying for change.”

World Athletics Athletes’ Commission Chair 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 unanimously as the topic of gender-based violence.

“We as athletes are in a unique position to leverage our profiles and social influence in our communities to lobby for change. It will take a concerted effort from all of us to be leaders in the space to influence and drive the change we need.”

The Athletes Commission additionally recommended World Athletics to explore partnerships with relevant organisations to combine forces and push for change.

In other major decisions made on the day, the World Athletics Council approved the Competition Commission’s recommendation to move the World Athletics Cross Country Championships from ‘even’ to ‘odd’ years, to be introduced after the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee in 2026.

The World Athletics Council also approved the introduction of new official senior road distances for race walking events - which will now include 21km half marathon and 42km marathon race walks from the 20km and 35km walks.

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At U20 level, the men’s and women’s 10,000m race walk at the World Athletics U20 Championships will be replaced by a 5000m race walk event, starting at the 2026 edition of the championships in Eugene.

In addition, the mixed 4x100m has been added to the programme for the World Athletics Relays Guangzhou 25, taking place on 10-11 May.