Parity achieved: Commonwealth Games offers medal equality

gold coast — For Commonwealth Games organisers, the Gold Coast presents a case for all things being equal.

Gold Coast 2018 chairman Peter Beattie previewed the games which start on Wednesday by promoting the 50-50 gender balance for the medals on offer at the 21st edition of the Commonwealth Games.

“This is the first multisport event ever where there will be the same number of medals for women as for men — it has not happened at the Commonwealth Games before or the Olympic Games,” Beattie said. “So we are going to make history. There are 133 women’s and 133 men’s events, and nine mixed open events, for example, in shooting

it is wonderful to be part of this generation and to be part of the change and inclusion

Anna Meares

and lawn bowls. That is why we are very proud of this.”

At Glasgow four years ago, women were competing for 48.5 percent of the medals. With the addition of three additional events in cycle, three in boxing and one in weightlifting, organisers say parity has been achieved.

Anna Meares, a multiple Olympic and world champion cyclist, won gold medals at the 2006, 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth Games after kicking off her career with a bronze at the 2002 edition in Manchester.

“From an athlete’s perspective, what I have achieved over 16 years at four Commonwealth Games, women today can do in two,” Meares said. “That speaks volumes for the opportunity being given to our female athletes.

“It is wonderful to be part of this generation and to be part of the change and inclusion.”

Kaye Scott, the only member of Australia’s boxing team for 2018 who competed at Glasgow four years ago, said the increase from three to six weight divisions for women was ‘a wonderful move in the right direction for equality in female sport’. —