Breaking Gender Barriers in Track & Field

<p>In this episode, Lauren Kuntz shares her journey from climate science to pioneering women&#39;s multi-events in track and field, including her efforts to establish the Women&#39;s Decathlon World Championships. We explore the intersection of gender equity, sport innovation, and personal resilience.</p><p>Lauren Kuntz is the founder of the Women’s Decathlon World Championships, decathlon pioneer, and the world record holder in the Icosathlon or the double decathlon. She is also the co-founder and CEO of Gaiascope, an energy technology start-up, which was successfully acquired by ENGIE in April 2025, holds a PhD in climate science from Harvard University, and is currently an assistant track and field coach specializing in pole vault at Carnegie Mellon University. </p><p>Chapters</p><p>02:21 Balancing multiple passions and roles</p><p>04:28 How climate science and sports intersect in Lauren&#39;s work</p><p>09:07 Understanding the decathlon, heptathlon, and ICOsathlon</p><p>12:12 The journey into multi-events and breaking gender barriers</p><p>18:03 Organizing the Women&#39;s Decathlon World Championships</p><p>45:38 The 2025 event cancellation and resilience</p><p>52:11 The future of women&#39;s decathlon and advocacy efforts</p><p>01:00:04 The importance of storytelling and increasing visibility</p><p>01:05:30 Personal experiences with Safe Sport and advocacy</p><p>01:07:29 Closing thoughts and call to action for listeners</p><p>Keywords: women&#39;s decathlon, track and field, gender equity, sports innovation, climate science, decathlon, ICOsathlon, world championships, athlete advocacy</p><p>Hosts in this episode: Anna</p><p><br>________________________________________</p><p><strong>Support &amp; Follow The End of Sport</strong></p><p><strong>Patreon:</strong> <a href="https://www.patreon.com/Theendofsport"><u>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/Theendofsport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</u></a> (Support the show!)</p><p><strong>Bluesky:</strong> <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/endofsportpod.bsky.social"><u>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@endofsportpod.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</u></a></p><p><strong>Instagram:</strong> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theendofsportpod?igsh=OHRtanJiaWJlNmF1"><u>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@endofsportpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</u></a></p><p><strong>Twitter/X:</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/EndofSportPod"><u>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@EndofSportPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</u></a></p><p><strong>YouTube:</strong> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@endofsportpod"><u>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The End of Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</u></a></p><p><em>Listen, share, and support The End of Spo