French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF) Affirms Global Commitment to Gender Equity

The French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF) has signed the IWG Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration, joining the world’s largest network dedicated to gender equity in sport.

By formalising this commitment, the CNOSF reaffirms its long-standing responsibility to advance the role of women and girls across the sports movement and anchors its national efforts within a broad global framework of over 600 organisations.

This significant step reflects years of dedicated action in France, where the CNOSF has prioritised equality through various commissions addressing gender-based violence, volunteering and professional sport. A flagship achievement in this journey is the ‘Club des 300’ programme, an initiative designed to support the French legal requirement for gender parity within governing bodies by empowering women leaders.

Between 2022 and 2024, the programme successfully supported 300 women through two national cohorts. To date, this work has seen 75 alumnae serve on the boards of French federations, with more than 15 holding senior executive positions and five serving as federation presidents.

The signing took place during a landmark event that also celebrated Michele Kang, President of OL Lyonnes and Olympique Lyonnais, who was awarded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) "Champions of Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion" trophy for Europe. Nominated by the CNOSF, Kang was recognised for her tireless work to provide women's sport with the same visibility and economic value as men's.

Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, President of the CNOSF, commented:

“I am delighted to have brought together this network of exceptional and committed women today at the CNOSF. I hope we are aware of the progress made towards a stronger role for women in sport, but challenges remain!

“There is a great deal of strength in this group of mobilised women. The importance of this community lies in the fact that we are here to demonstrate that the cause of gender equality is certainly about March 8th, but also every day of the year! I am immensely proud to see the CNOSF commit itself today to the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration.”

Annamarie Phelps, Co- Chair of the International Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG), added:

“The signing of the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration represents a significant public commitment from the leaders of the Olympic movement in France. Paris 2024 was a major step forward for gender equality at the Olympic Games, and this pledge to continue this work will further embed equality in the country’s sporting structures and culture, building on this decisive achievement.

“We are delighted to be working with the CNOSF, learning from and sharing its successes, and contributing to increasing visibility, investment, participation, and momentum for change through our global network. Thank you to President Amélie Oudéa-Castéra for her leadership in the ongoing fight against gender imbalance in sport.”