UNITED NATIONS, June 29 -- Three countries have never sent women athletes to the Olympics: Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brunei. This emerged on Tuesday, when Anita DeFranz of the International Olympics told the Press there are 204 national Olympic Committees and only three have not sent women. “Which three?” asked Inner City Press. Ms. DeFranz named them.
The IOC has become an Observer at the UN. Since the UN has 192 members, how does the IOC have 205? Ms. DeFranz explained that for example Puerto Rico and Guam has organizing committees but are not countries for purposes of the UN. Inner City Press asked, “And Abkhazia?”
While there was laughter, by the 2014 Winter Olympics it may not be so funny. Those games were awarded to Russia, for its notably warm resort town of Sochi. Georgia call for a boycott, after its war with Russia for Abkhazia and South Ossetia. (Georgia's Ambassador recently traveled to the International Criminal Court conference on the Crime of Aggression, his Mission told Inner City Press, still beating the drum for “accountability” for that war.)
Ms. DeFranz took questions about rules on ambiguous gender and the IOC's reliance on national identification documents to resolve disputes about underage gymnasts. Ms. DeFranz is a lawyer, and her answers showed it. Video here.
A loaded question about participation by countries “where women are brutalized,” Ms. DeFranz answered with her own question: “the United States?” She said the beach volley ball players are not required to wear such small swim suits, and that boxers have agreed to forgo beards, without it being formally required.
“What the benefit for the IOC of becoming an Observer?” Inner City Press asked. “Now we can talk,” said Ms. DeFranz. She said the UN flag has flown over the Games since 1992 in Barcelona.
Footnote: in audience was another Olympic athlete, swimmer Donna de Varona who spoke to Inner City Press about the U.S. Title IX. More countries should have it, she said. When asked about a case in Connecticut where Quinnipiac is defending closing its women's volleyball program by saying that cheer leading is a sport, she shrugged. It is if they compete, she said. Follow the money: hiss boom bah.
