International women’s day 2024 :Women in sport

Sport became a focus of EU responsibilities with the Treaty of Lisbon in December 2009, enabling evidence­based policy development and cooperation for physical activity and sports. The Lisbon Treaty granted the EU specific competence in sport under Article 6(e) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and Article 165, allowing support and supplementation of Member States' actions in sport. Article 165 TFEU stresses the social and educational function of sport and the aim to develop the European dimension in sport, by promoting fairness and openness in sporting competitions and by protecting the physical and moral integrity of sportsmen and sportswomen, especially the youngest sportsmen and sportswomen. Article 165 TFEU also emphasises supporting Member States in education while promoting a European dimension through language teaching, mobility, cooperation among institutions, and youth engagement in democratic life. In sports, it aims to ensure fairness, cooperation between sporting bodies, and protection for athletes, especially young ones. The article also encourages international cooperation with third countries and organisations like the Council of Europe. For implementation, it allows the EU to foster collaboration among Member States without imposing uniform laws and offers recommendations to advance education and sports objectives.