INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC ACADEMY 7th JOINT - IOA

Men sometimes tend to perceive women as threatening outsiders.
Therefore, they try to keep them away from the nerve points of the
decision-making process. Men attempt to maintain a distance from a
project that identifies with women, when that it is difficult to find
cooperation with other male members of the board.
Women in this position and situation must find a way to form
some kind of network in order to support one another. Women in such
organizations need to try to learn the framework within which they are
working, the surrounding, the power relations and look for the
weakened link in the “old boys” network and break it, in order to
bring the wind of change to their organizations. Although different
women in different organizations might experience diversity of
organizational behaviour, we believe that by understanding the
organization from the inside, the underlying realities, the construction
of the relationship and the connections, women can find their own
unique way of influencing an ongoing process or new projects.
However, according to the story above it is clear that although the
presence of a woman within the decision making position was central
to the success of this project, for achievement in regard to changing
ways of thinking, organization strategy and structures, great progress
is still required great progress. Women need to be aware that there is a
thin line between adjusting your self to a masculine environment
within the organization and becoming one of the “boys”. But it is
subjective for each one to decide where is that limit, and how far she
is willing to go, without compromising her own identity and values.
Women, especially when they are in minority, must not forget that
they can contribute to decision-making in all issues and matters, but
nonetheless, it is crucial that they will not forget their responsibilities
to women’s sport.
To conclude, we believe that the presence of women in decision
making position in sport organizations is important for promoting
sport in general, and women’s sport especially. Women can contribute
from their experience, knowledge and understanding, but the process
is not easy, there are many barriers, from the stage of recruitment to
the stage of being a decision-maker, but where there is a will there is a
way…
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