The first women’s panel organized by CF Montreal was drawing to a close on Wednesday afternoon, when para-swimmer Aurélie Rivard launched a metaphor that summed up the message emanating from the event.
Posted at 7:50 p.m.
“In swimming, when you want to be determined or focus on a goal, you say, ‘Look at the black line on the bottom of the pool.’ Everyone has their black line in their own life, for their own purposes. There’s going to be a lot of noise outside, a lot of splashing. Keep following your black line if that’s the one you want to follow. Don’t get distracted by jealousy or people who don’t have your motivation. »
She was seated alongside former Olympian short track skater Nathalie Lambert, boxer Marie-Ève Dicaire and former Canadian soccer player Amy Walsh.
These four women formed the second panel of the afternoon at the Saputo stadium. Canadian Vice-President of Communications Chantal Machabée, Minister Isabelle Charest, Vice-President of the Alliance de Montréal Annie Larouche and Vice-President of Communications and Marketing of CF Montreal Samia Chebeir had taken their seats a few minutes earlier.
PHOTO PHILIPPE BOIVIN, THE PRESS
Chantal Machabée, vice-president of communications at the Canadiens
They all talked about the path they have traveled in the sporting world, and the pitfalls they had to overcome in paving the way for the next ones. Hence the transcendent idea of pursuing this “black line”.
Subsequently, Samia Chebeir spoke of a “bittersweet” observation, in front of the media.
“It was amazing, the stories,” she said. But at the same time, to see how far we’ve come in so many years, and how far we still have to go. […] That’s why we did this event. »
Because while things are improving when it comes to gender parity in sport, things are far from perfect.
If Aurélie Rivard could snap her fingers to correct one of the problems, she would choose to “stop sexism, discrimination”.
“Me who makes a gesture versus a man who makes a gesture in the same context, it will be perceived extremely differently. […] Working in the sports world is more natural and acquired for man. We have to work 100% harder. »
“Representation and Visibility”
The issue of access to jobs for women in sports was discussed. From that of establishing quotas to have a minimum of female representation in sports-oriented companies. Idea to which the Minister of Sports Isabelle Charest subscribes, under certain conditions: she “believes in incentives”, but not in “forcing parity”.
“I don’t want people to think that women are there just because they are women,” she explained. Which can create, according to her, the famous impostor syndrome.
PHOTO PHILIPPE BOIVIN, THE PRESS
The Minister of Sports Isabelle Charest is in favor of the establishment of quotas to have a minimum of female representation in sports-oriented companies under certain conditions: she “believes in incentives”, but not in “forcing parity”.
We also talked about the “representation” and the “visibility” of women’s sport.
A subject dear to the heart of Amy Walsh, at a time when Canadian soccer, in full swing, is lagging behind in terms of the establishment of a women’s professional circuit.
According to her, “one should not paint male sport and female sport with the same brush”. Both have their particularities, and must be sold and marketed in distinct ways. The masculine model should not apply to the feminine, in short.
“The interest is there for women’s sport,” she told The Press. The commitment is there. The market will follow. We need people who will stand up and invest. This will allow women’s sport to grow. »
Serena, a model
Serena Williams played Wednesday night in what could be the last game of her career at the United States Open in New York. A career where she continually shattered glass ceilings.
“She broke down so many doors for all the girls, the women, says Aurélie Rivard. Not only in tennis or for individual sport, but for professional sport. »
“What I remember the most is when she corrected a journalist just for a small sentence. “No, I’m not the best female athlete, I’m the best athlete, period.” That’s just what it takes. It’s not just words, it’s actions. »
Amy Walsh speaks in particular of image.
While most female athletes “feel the need to be attractive or hypersexualized,” Williams “didn’t seem to mind if she didn’t fit into a specific category. She was herself, unreservedly and unapologetically.