A/79/299 participation but also affect their visibility and development within various sports disciplines; as a result, it is de facto impossible for them to fulfil their true potential in pursuing their athletic aspirations. 70. The Special Rapporteur recognizes that, for the first time in history, an equal number of women and men participated in the 2024 Olympic Games, 55 and that the women’s events were scheduled to ensure better media coverage. Those accomplishments should be acknowledged, and should serve as good practices and thresholds for all national and international competitions. 71. Unfortunately, in some countries, women face outright exclusion from sports. In Afghanistan, the de facto authorities have systematically denied women’s and girls’ participation in sports. 56 That denial includes bans on playing sports professionally, accessing sports facilities and even using public parks or gyms for exercise. 57 Those who try to avoid the ban face threats of violence and intimidation. The Taliban’s institutionalized system of discrimination, segregation, and disrespect for the human dignity of women and girls may amount to crimes against humanity, including the crime of gender persecution (see A/HRC/56/25). Afghan women note that the situation can best be described as gender apartheid. Such clear human rights abuses can never be justified, especially by hijacking the transformational positive concept of culture. As mentioned in a letter sent to the International Olympic Committee in August 2024 by the Special Rapporteur and other Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council (communication OTH 113/24), the Committee, sporting associations and their host countries must, as part of their human rights obligations and responsibilities, urgently act to prevent the violation of women’s right to participate in sports in Afghanistan and all other countries, including countries to which women migrate, and to apply human rights “due diligence” (see Human Rights Council resolution 17/4). 72. In the Islamic Republic of Iran, a reported 64 per cent of women lack adequate access to physical activities. 58 Although Iranian women are not legally prohibited from riding bicycles or attending male sporting events, they are prevented from doing so by the authorities, who deem such activities immoral. Women athletes are prohibited from being coached by men, and their sporting opportunities are therefore limited. 59 Those discriminatory practices cannot be justified by any perceived understanding of morality. Equality between men and women is enshrined in customary international law and represents a common value of humanity. 73. Discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is also prevalent. Homophobia and transphobia in sporting environments can deter LGBTIQ+ persons from participating in sport and lead to mental health struggles. When asked about their experiences in Europe, almost 90 per cent of LGBTIQ+ respondents considered homophobia and transphobia in sport to be a current problem, while 82 per cent reported that they had witnessed homophobic or transphobic language in sports in the preceding 12 months.60 The hostile atmosphere in some sports settings underscores the need for inclusive policies and supportive environments that affirm the right of LGBTIQ+ persons to express their identities and promote their well -being. 61 In that __________________ 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 18/24 See https://olympics.com/ioc/news/applying-a-gender-lens-to-ensure-that-men-s-and-women-ssports-have-equal-visibility-at-paris-2024. Contributions of Femena (Afghanistan), Rawadari and Women in Sport. Contribution of Rawadari. Contributions of Femena (Islamic Republic of Iran) and Women in Sport. See the contributions of Femena (Islamic Republic of Iran) and Women in Sport for more examples. Contribution of the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation. See the contributions of ILGA World, Disrupción Queer, the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation, and Outright International. 24-14354