be inspired

When you spend three hours with a 50-odd capacity of females listening to the success stories of five passionate, different and strong-willed women, you're bound to emerge refreshed and brimming with inspiration. Incorporate the free flow of champagne, wine and finger delicacies into the picture, and you will see a sea of feminity indulging in food and drink underneath the intricately beautiful details of the Parliament House.

Welcome to the 2006 womens forum, hosted by the admirable FMAA who managed a full sponsorship from NAB, and endorsement by the University.

One outstanding personality is Nicole Lvingstone, former Olympic gold medallist and co-founder of OvCa Australia. Standing tall in a swimmer's physique, Nicole shared her glory and salt pinches with all. Among others, one significant issue was raised- freedom of choice.

Nicole related a story that struck a very painful chord.

Gold medals at one particular Olympic Games were swept by German female swimmers who were extrordinarily fast in the pool. Not only were they rich in muscle mass, they talked and looked decidedly masculine. In fact, they swam almost as fast as the men. Having seen the remarkable performances of these girls in the pool, Nicole and the other competitors quietly assumed they were on 'substances' to improve performances. Little did they know the bigger truth.

It was only when released reports got out that the painful truth was known. Females generally have a ratio of 1 testosterone to 1 progesterone. Males, naturally, have a ratio of 3:1. The swimmers, however, had a shocking 27:1. East and West Germany were at war then. These girls were victims of a role forced upon them. They were swimmers trained to win, regardless of the cost. These women were required to take 'vitamin' pills everyday. They did not question the reason for the vitamins intake, nor did they have the slightest idea of the adverse consequences that were to befall them. They believed it was just that- supplements. They were fooled.

It was only at the Olympic Games that they realized they were different from the other female competitors.

The right of choice was never given to them. The Olympic gold medals may have been winning runs of celebrations, but no one should ever be subjected to the abuse of human rights. To think that it was manipulated in such a way that such consequences should escape them is beyond comprehending. These women should never have to face permanent mutation of their physical bodies.. and worse still, incapability of ever having children of their own.

The injustice of such a situation brought me close to tears. freedom of choice. Three simple words that hold the world in them.