CLOSING THE GAP: inclusivity in sports, on and off the pitch

Sports is a booming business. According to the Sports Global Market Report 2025 the sports market will grow from US$477.8 billion in 2024 to US$507.69 billion in 20251. In 2023, the Italian sports system generated €120 billion in revenues and contributed to nearly 3,9% of GDP (as compared to 3,4% of GDP in 2022)2.

In addition to driving up domestic product contribution, sport also plays a pivotal role in the evolution of perceptions of race, ability and gender identity. As Nelson Mandela stated: «Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does».

Recent examples highlight how sport can address discrimination and promote equality, diversity and inclusion:

· Gender equality challenges

The 2024 Olympics marked the first time in history that an equal number of women participated in the summer Olympics. It only took 128 years. Women were initially prohibited from competing in the first ever modern Olympics held in Athens in 1896, and later allowed only in certain sports. Over time, female athlete participation increased, reaching gender parity in 20244. Only as of the 2012 Olympics, women are allowed to compete in all sports. In 2014, the IOC further strengthened its commitment to the LGBTQ+ community in particular by amending the Olympic Charter to specifically include non-discrimination with regard to sexual orientation in Fundamental Principle 65.

· Accessibility

“Games wide open” was the philosophy of Paris 2024, which sold over 280.000 tickets to people with disabilities and wheelchair users to provide full access to the sports venues during the event. Paris 2024 has also offered a range of facilities adapted to a range disabilities, such as an audio description service in English and French and a touch-sensitive tablet.

· Gender inclusion battles

Regarding the 2024 Olympics, one of the most debated episodes involved the Algerian boxer Imane Khelif: despite being excluded from the World Championships due to her DNA having a male chromosome, she was admitted to the 2024 Games, where she won the gold medal. The IOC clarified that Ms Khelif was born as a woman and confirmed her compliance with eligibility and entry regulations6, yet controversy arose (including by representatives of the Italian government) due to misconceptions about her gender and confusion with transgender athletes. Around the same period, debate over transgender athletes’ eligibility had sparked around the challenge brought by the USA transgender swimmer Ms Lia Thomas against World Aquatics’ policy for transgender athletes before the Court of Arbitration for Sport of Lausanne7. The two cases are based on substantively different legal grounds. Nevertheless, both cases attracted public attention to gender inclusion, prompting discussions on the limitations imposed by the binary nature of professional leagues and Olympic sports.

· Towards equal representation in sports

While diversity in sports is improving, underrepresentation persists based on gender, race/ethnicity, sexuality and social class. Participation by players of Color is increasing in major leagues like the NFL, NBA, and WNBA, but not equally among coaches. At the elite levels, certain individual sports (such as tennis, downhill skiing, swimming, diving, dressage, ice skating) remain predominantly of non-Color athletes. Lewis Hamilton, the only Black driver in Formula One, is one of the most vocal examples in the fight against discrimination in sport. He frequently calls out the lack of diversity in Formula One and sport8. Continued efforts are necessary to support and include racial/ethnic and sexual/gender minorities in sports.

· Regulatory and financial developments in football

Diversity and equality in sports cannot neglect the evolving matters concerning women’s football in terms of both investments and regulatory landscape. Since 2020, FIFA improved its regulatory framework to promote the protection of female players and coaches by addressing key elements such as maternity, adoption and contractual stability rules9. Furthermore, ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, FIFA organised tailor-made training on anti-discrimination and cultural sensitivity to all relevant workforce areas as part of the FIFA’s diversity programme. At financial level, the disparity in compensation between male and female players remains glaringly apparent (e.g. with male footballers in England earning 17,000% more than female). As part of its FIFA 2018-2026 Women’s Football Strategy10, FIFA’s ambition is to achieve Men and Women’s World Cup equal prize money by 2027. UEFA has undertaken similar initiatives also in collaboration with the EU Commissioner for Equality.

The path ahead to progressively eliminate inclusivity gaps in sports remains complex. However, with the growing use of social media and digital platforms among fans, sports are contributing to fostering a level playing field for individuals from all backgrounds by pushing boundaries and social norms.