While Paris 2024 will be remembered as the first Olympic Games to achieve gender parity on the field of play, the same cannot yet be said for the press boxes and photo zones.
Only 23 per cent of journalists accredited by media organisations for Paris 2024 were women, revealing a persistent gap in gender equality within the sports media industry. The figure represents a modest improvement over the past two decades, up from 12 per cent at Athens 2004, but underlines that progress remains slow.
Speaking at the 87th AIPS Congress, Lucia Montanarella, Associate Director of Olympic Games Media Operations at the International Olympic Committee (IOC), addressed this issue with honesty and urgency.
“We’ve seen a little increase in the number of women within media teams,” she said. “But there’s still a long way to go.”
Montanarella emphasised that while the IOC cannot dictate newsroom staffing decisions, it continues to advocate for more inclusive media representation. A dedicated working group within the IOC Press Committee is focused on promoting gender equality in sports journalism, recognising the underrepresentation of female editors, photographers, and reporters.
“We will keep bringing the topic to the table,” she asserted, calling on media outlets to take deliberate action by sending more female journalists and photographers to future Olympic Games.
Adapting to a Changing Media Landscape
Montanarella also shed light on how the IOC is responding to shifts in how sport is covered, particularly in light of changing newsroom structures, digital platforms, and increasing demand for access.
“All of you, and the industry as a whole, are covering sport in different ways,” she explained. “We are working on how to include and support all these evolving forms of coverage.”
One area of concern is the efficient use of press spaces in high-demand events. At swimming finals in Paris, Montanarella noted a significant number of empty press seats—not due to lack of interest, but because many journalists were working from mixed zones instead.
“We need to ensure that prime seats are used effectively, so that those actively covering the event from the stands can have access,” she added.
Ensuring Fair Access for Independent Media
Montanarella also revealed that the IOC is reviewing press accreditation terms and conditions to ensure that spaces are reserved for legitimate, independent media. In previous editions of the Games, questions were raised about non-journalistic or ineligible personnel receiving accreditation, taking up space meant for working professionals.
“We are aiming for a fair and logical system that prioritises active, independent journalism,” she stated.
As the Olympic Games continue to evolve, the message from the IOC is clear: inclusion and legitimacy must go hand in hand—for athletes, for media, and for the future of global sport storytelling.
