Addressing reporters, the expert described the risks that female athletes face as a serious and systematic human rights issue.

“Their ability to practice sports in conditions of safety, dignity, and equality has been further undermined by the intrusion of men into female-only categories and spaces,” she said.

Among other forms of violence, Alsalem cited economic, physical, or psychological violence, coercive control, online violence, and neglect in the case of children, especially in some sports such as gymnastics, as some of the most common occurrences.

The independent special rapporteur exposed both state and non-state actors among the most common culprits.

” So, I speak about coaches, professional colleagues, family members, managers, spectators, policymakers,” she warned.

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