Racism significantly impacts access to sport: Independent expert
Despite sport’s ability to promote diversity and inclusion, the report noted that those from racial and ethnic minorities lack representation at many levels of global sport, with governance and access disparities reflecting broader structural inequalities.Ashwini K.P., the Human Rights Council-appointed independent expert on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, recognised sport’s unique place in promoting cultural expression and collective identity.“Persistent stereotypes continue to influence how athletes are identified, trained, selected and perceived,” the Special Rapporteur told the Human Rights Council on Thursday. “I am concerned about the underrepresentation of racially and ethnically marginalised groups, including minorities, caste-oppressed communities, and other racialised populations.”In her report, she recommended that Member States collect disaggregated data on racism within sports, invest in sport infrastructure and promote equal access, ensure athletes’ safety, consider any eligibility regulations that could have discriminatory impacts, and recall their obligations under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
