L-R: Jung Yoo Yeon, Sari Mannersuo, Lori Okimura, Irene Chang, Spela Plesnik, Marie-Claude Richer, Krisztina Arpas, Amina Elsergany
When Lori Okimura assumed the post as World Paravolley President in January 2024, she knew the kind of vision she had for the highest governing body of the one of fastest growing Para sports.
“It’s very important to take advantage of our opportunity to have gender balance,” Okimura said.
Once the nominations for International Technical Officials to serve at Paris 2024 were confirmed, Okimura was more than happy to see many women taking on key responsibilities as vanguards of the Games.
As Assistant Technical Delegate, Okimura (USA) made the trip to the French capital, along with Irene Chang (MAS) as jury member; Sari Mannersuo (FIN) and Jung Yoo Yeon (KOR) as referee observers; Louise Ashcroft (CAN) as medical delegate; Krisztina Arpas (HUN), Amina Elsergany (EGY), Spela Plesnik (SLO), and Marie-Claude Richer (CAN) as international referees.
“To be the first WPV president who is a woman, and to see a Medical Director who is a woman, a Media Director who is a woman, a Marketing Director who is a woman, that’s a really good sign for World Paravolley, that we’re heading in the right direction. Our Athlete Council is led by a woman, Nicky Nieves. Our delegation here in Paris has some of the best international referees, including our women from all around the world,” Okimura added.
Chang, who served as the first female jury member in sitting volleyball’s Paralympic history during Rio 2016, was just happy to have some company.
“It’s just wonderful to have more women around me when I work, because in Rio I was quite lonely, being the only female ITO around.
“Now it’s fun! And we empower more women,” said Chang.
As fate would have it, an all-female ITO roster made it to the women’s semifinal match between China and Canada on September 5.
Mannersuo served in that match and commended the excellent performance of the referees.
“Our female referees here have done a really good job. Absolutely! They are a good level to be here. They are really good referees. They have officiated many competitions,” she said.
Jung shared the same degree of admiration for the referees and for her colleagues, as she said: “It’s great to be here with Sari, who is an amazing referee observer. It’s a first in our career so it is really an honor for me.”
“Hopefully we will have more female referees in the Paralympics and other world-level competitions in the future,” Jung added.
Okimura is not one to skip on credit where it is due, as she honours the achievements of past leadership and current colleagues.
“The men are helping us, the men are leading us in the right direction. They’re giving us opportunity, we’re giving ourselves opportunity,” she said.
Ultimately, Okimura underlines the intention to acknowledge the achievement of WPV’s current generation of female officials, as means to usher in the next.
“I think it’s not just about focusing on putting women in positions of power. It’s about these women who have earned their right to be in these positions, so what can we do now to create opportunities for the next group of women that come in,” Okimura said.
Photo: WPV/Sinisa Kanizaj.
