Sweat on the avenue renowned for being “the most beautiful in the world”.
This Sunday, March 3, the City of Paris is taking advantage of the monthly pedestrianization day of the Champs-Élysées (8th arrondissement) to organize a whole series of free sports initiations, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
An event at the crossroads of the Olympic Games which are coming to the capital this summer and International Women's Rights Day on March 8.
“We called it
Les Sportswomen gain ground
,” explains Pierre Rabadan, deputy mayor of Paris in charge of sport.
Our objective is to promote sport and, in particular, women's sport.
We know that overall women manage to find less free time for sports.
»
Sports facilities “occupied 90% by men”
Hélène Bidard, deputy (PCF) in charge of gender equality, also sees a symbolic dimension.
“A little over 100 years ago, Alice Milliat fought for women to participate in the Olympics,” recalls the elected official.
And we are now five months away from the first Olympic and Paralympic Games where there will be as many female athletes as men.
There is progress but still many battles to fight.
»
Also read “Before, I didn’t dare to skate”: in Paris, it’s more and more popular for girls!
Among them: equal access to sport in public spaces.
“90% of sports equipment is owned by men,” insists Hélène Bidard.
When we build a skatepark or a soccer field, we know that they will be occupied almost exclusively by men.
If we want equality, we have to work on it.
» “We realized that if women's practice was not supported in these places, it was not happening,” confirms Pierre Rabadan.
To remedy this, the City launched “Paris Sportives” in 2020. A program which aims to offer free sports classes dedicated to women on outdoor physical education fields (TEP).
Since then, around 8,000 participants of different age groups have tried dozens of disciplines such as rollerblading, skateboarding and even football.
Around thirty associations organize nearly 600 sports sessions each year.
All slots can be viewed on the Paris.fr website.
“In partnership with local missions, the winning clubs of the various calls for projects sought out women who were very far removed from the practice of sport,” continues the sports assistant.
Many then joined clubs to continue.
»
Introductions to boxing, fitness, judo…
“Sunday will be the culmination of everything we have implemented,” summarizes Hélène Bidard.
All the clubs and feminist associations that responded to the “Paris Sportives” call for projects will offer initiations on the Champs-Élysées, mainly between rue de Galilée and avenue George-V.
“There will be 30-minute sessions all day long to discover boxing, fitness, judo, basketball, badminton, tai chi, etc.
», Lists Pierre Rabadan.
A podium will also be installed at the intersection with rue Galilée.
Lucile Woodward, a coach who is a hit on YouTube, will offer two “full body” sessions, a mix of cardio and muscle strengthening, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Also tested: “afro move fit” at 11:30 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m. or “gym and jump” at 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
“Being here, in the heart of the City of Lights, is to proudly show that we, sporting women, are there on the ground and that we have as much of a place as any other person.
In light of the first equal Games in history, the moment is ideal to reaffirm the right of women to practice sport where, when and how they want, supports the godmother of the Sine Qua Non association.
It is an issue of equality, emancipation and health which even goes beyond the practice of sport.
»
It remains to be seen whether the “Paris Sportives” program will continue after the Games.
A budget of around 300,000 euros per year is devoted to it, half financed by the regional prefecture and by the organizing committee of the Olympic Games and half by the City.
“We will maintain our investment,” assures Pierre Rabadan.
But Paris 2024 will no longer exist after the Olympics.
We are in the process of seeing how to sustain these endowment funds after 2024.”
“Sportswomen are gaining ground”, this Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Champs-Élysées, free.