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SYDNEY. — The Australian government has warned top sports bodies to end years of second-class citizenship for female athletes and pay for them to travel in the same style as males for major events overseas.

Sports minister Sussan Ley and Australian Sports Commission chair John Wylie have written to the top 30 funded organisations threatening cuts if “gender-neutral” travel is not introduced.

“In 2016, we can think of no defensible reason why male and female athletes should travel in different classes or stay in different standard accommodation when attending major international sporting events,” the letter says. — AFP.