IBA Annual Conference Toronto 2025
2 Nov - 8 Nov 2025
Room 703, Level 700, MTCC
Session information
Equity on trial: gender justice in sport today
Thursday 6 November (1115 - 1230)
Room 703, Level 700, MTCC
Committee(s)
Diversity and Equality Law Committee
(Lead)
LGBTQI+ Law Committee
Description
The situation in women’s boxing during the last Olympic Games highlights the ongoing debate about fairness in gender categories in sport. The interplay between preserving “fair competition” and discrimination, and the right to dignity is complex, particularly in today’s rapidly changing and politicised world. This panel will cover current issues relating to women in sports, including the broader legal implications that arise from the ongoing debate about where to draw the “fair play” line, such as privacy, discrimination, and competing jurisdictions.
Session / Workshop Chair(s)
| D'Arcy Kemnitz | National LGBT Bar Association, Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Member, LGBTQI+ Law Committee Advisory Board |
| Bjoern Otto | CMS Germany, Cologne, Germany |
Speakers
| James Bunting | Tyr LLP, Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Dasha Peregoudova | Aird & Berlis, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Diversity and Inclusion Officer, North American Regional Forum |
| Zhifan Xing | Beijing DHH (Shanghai) Law Firm, Shanghai, China |
| Ellen Zavian | George Washington University Law School, Washington, District of Columbia, USA |