Women urged to seek top jobs in Olympic movement

Published Jul. 24, 2012 9:01 a.m. ET

foxsports

IOC member Anita DeFrantz says more women should seek election to prominent jobs in the sports world.

DeFrantz tells the International Olympic Committee's general assembly that ''women need to step up and take responsibility.''

The United States official set out the challenge after hailing the London Olympics as the first where every national team includes female athletes.

Saudi Arabia, Brunei and Qatar are sending female competitors for the first time.

DeFrantz, who chairs the IOC's Women and Sport Commission, says only 3 percent of national Olympic bodies have women presidents.

She praises FIFA after it ''crossed into the land'' of governing bodies who elected a woman to their ruling board. IOC member Lydia Nsekera joined FIFA's executive committee in May.