The organisers of a women’s running race in Madrid apologised on Monday after the winner was offered a food processor to take home, sparking accusations of sexism.
The seven kilometre ‘Carrera de la Mujer’ (Women’s Race) issued a statement on Twitter saying it hadn’t considered the kitchen appliance — donated by a sponsor — would have sexist implications.
‘We apologise but we consider this a product with no sexist character and ideal for any athlete who wants to improve their nutritional habits,’ the statement said. ‘We regret if any woman felt offended.’
The organisers promised to ‘take measures’ to avoid similar incidents in the future.
Serb national Ivana Zagorac won the race in 24 minutes, 7 seconds on Sunday, in an amateur event in which 32,000 women participated. The Madrid race coincided with Spain’s Mother’s Day, and supports domestic violence and cancer survivors. It is held in other cities across Spain.
The food processor controversy went largely unnoticed until Ángela Rodríguez Pam, Spain’s Secretary of State for Equality, tweeted that the winner had received a food processor and others were given 0% fat products.
‘If you win: housewife, and if not at least you’ll lose weight,’ Rodríguez Pam tweeted ironically.
The race has previously featured T-shirts with the slogan: ‘Today, the girls win!’
En la Carrera de la mujer a la 1ª le dieron una thermomix y al resto productos 0%
— Ángela Rodríguez Pam 🏳️🌈 ♀️ (@Pam_Angela_) May 8, 2023
Si triunfas ama de casa y si no al menos adelgaza.
El problema no es lo ‘rosa’ sino que las empresas lo usen para tapar lo importante como la lucha contra el machismo.
Hacen falta más carreras aún.
📢 Comunicado oficial de la Carrera de la Mujer pic.twitter.com/JcjJuFLQ9O
— Carrera de la Mujer (@CarreraMujer) May 8, 2023
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