A/HRC/40/72 participation sports and for elite sports, as well as economic empowerment of women. Participants emphasized role models, storytelling and collective action to promote gender equality. The barriers for women to access sports included traditional restrictions, male guardianship, and a lack of economic and moral incentives. Obstacles for women in sports included corruption, harassment, violence, homelessness and refugee status. Participants questioned how to challenge demeaning language directed at female athletes, ways for men to participate in promoting gender equality, and how to connect international and grassroots campaigns, including in indigenous territories. 23. Reacting to comments and questions, Ms. Mojtahedi hoped that the “me too” movement would gain momentum to tackle sexism also in sports. The practice of sport constituted a right and was also a tool to access other rights. Human rights mechanisms should give greater emphasis to sports. Ms. Mojtahedi welcomed storytelling and solid evidence-based narratives. Ms. Shams stated that in many parts of the world, it was difficult for women to leave the home to practise sports due to traditions and lack of financial support, which was also aggravated by the selectivity of sponsors. She proposed that the International Olympic Committee reflect on how to address women’s underrepresentation in sport in every country. She cited the “Women Win” initiative which trained women worldwide on storytelling, so they could become role models. Ms. Gangaamaa called upon all present, especially athletes, to unite to protect human rights in all countries. D. Celebrating diversity: inclusivity, equality and non-discrimination in sport – the case of football 24. The head of the KickIn! National Advisory Centre for Inclusion in Football in Germany, Daniela Wurbs, differentiated integration – individuals adapting to society, from inclusion – society adapting its structures and services to the diversity of people. She called for increased inclusion in football. Human rights arguments were not sufficient to convince clubs, as the latter saw inclusion as a cost with no returns. Therefore, it was important to make the business case for inclusion in sports. The German football leagues were the best attended in the world. According to surveys, this was because tickets were sold at fair prices, stadiums were accessible, fans felt ownership through democratic influence on club governance and clubs embraced anti-discrimination. Still, there was room for improving inclusion. The FIFA World Cup, despite being a commercial event, increasingly embraced the idea of creating a legacy on inclusion and on anti-discrimination policies. 25. Robert Ustian, founder of CSKA Fans Against Racism, and a member of the Executive Board of Football Supporters Europe, explained that the 2018 FIFA World Cup had allowed Russians to build personal bridges and trust with people from different parts of the world. Against common misrepresentations in the mainstream media and by officials, direct contact allowed for the mutual perceptions of Russians and foreigners to improve during the games. The positive experience of the World Cup would not be lost and would remain as a legacy if engagement from the grass roots, governments and sports governing bodies continued. This would also require honest, hard and open discussions to address the many issues concerning racial discrimination, homophobia and xenophobia in sports. Only in this way was it possible to harness the potential of football for positive change in society. 26. For Alexey Smertin, anti-discrimination and anti-racism officer of the Russian Football Union and former captain of the Russian national football team, football far surpassed the 90-minute game. It also encompassed what happened among fans and the public at large. It created opportunities to think about team-building and communitybuilding. The World Cup amplified that potential. For the 2018 World Cup, the Russian Federation had created a monitoring system to prevent discriminatory behaviour, and had conducted awareness-raising seminars with fans and held courses in universities. Those actions had ensured that there were fewer incidents of discrimination. Change of behaviour was gradual and required advocacy with younger generations. The World Cup was a collective endeavour, bringing millions together to a global celebration that could catalyse a more inclusive society. 8