Colombo, Sri Lanka, March 11, 2024: Sri Lankan climber Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala has won the 2023 IOC Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champions Award for Asia.
“Your amazing work focusing on using climbing as a tool to include women and girls in sport set your candidature apart and made you the clear choice for this award,” the IOC said.
“Congratulations on receiving this well-deserved recognition of the positive impact you are having on the community using the power of sport,” added Marie Sallois, Director of the Corporate and Sustainable Development Department, on behalf of Lydia Nsekera, Chair of the IOC Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commission.
Jayanthi, who is the first Sri Lankan to summit Mount Everest, said: “Thrilled and humbled to be awarded the International Olympic Committee’s 2023 Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champions Award for Asia.
“Encouraging women and girls to engage in sport and challenge gender stereotypes is a cause close to me.
“Together with friends we have created a safe and non-judgemental space to do so over the past five years through rock climbing workshops for women and girls.
“Our workshops for 2024 with ‘Climblanka’ begin tomorrow, and for the workshop next week we are proud to be partnering with the Ayati Centre of Kelaniya University which supports people with disabilities.”
Jayanthi thanked “a village of friends and volunteers” for helping her in this mission, and for their contribution to her IOC champions award.
“Thank you to the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka for nominating me for this award,” she concluded.