IOC President Kirsty Coventry and EOC President Spyros Capralos emphasised the importance of the athletes’ voice on the first day of the 8th European Athletes’ Forum & Assembly in London.
The Forum brings together representatives of the 49 European NOCs’ Athletes’ Commissions joining in-person and online to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing athletes from across the continent, ensuring that they remain at the centre of all decision-making within the EOC.
Following presentations outlining the roles of Athletes’ Commissions and the support available to them from the EOC and the IOC through Olympic Solidarity, the athletes took part in several breakout sessions throughout the day.
These included looking in more detail at the prevention of competition manipulation and how Athletes’ Commissions can use social media, as well as discussing the IOC’s Fit For The Future process and the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Athlete Council.
Speaking via video message, IOC President Coventry emphasised that the athletes’ voice has never been stronger within the Olympic Movement.
President Coventry said: “I was delighted to meet so many of you at the recent International Athletes Forum. The energy in the room made it crystal clear that the athletes’ voice has never been stronger. This is why gatherings like this Forum are so important. This is your space, your chance to speak up, to share ideas, to make sure your voices are heard on all issues that matter most to you.
“As Athlete Commission members, you are at the table where decisions are made. You have a voice and a vote. That is powerful. That is how real change happens. And this is how, together, we can shape a stronger future for our Olympic Movement.”
EOC President Capralos noted how the representation of former athletes within the Olympic Movement has grown, including on the EOC Executive Committee, and the importance of this.
President Capralos said: “What has changed since my time as an Olympian is that in today’s world, athletes are at the centre of the Olympic Movement. Athletes are at the heart of decisions we make – everything we do is with the athletes at the centre of our thought process.
” You will hear many new and important things during the Forum, while also being given the chance to express yourself and to give your opinion on the issues facing athletes. To on the issues athletes are facing. Please engage with each other, learn from the best practices of other Athletes’ Commissions and after these two days, you will feel richer in knowledge and experience.”
Day two of the Forum will see the EOC Athletes’ Commission for the term 2025-2029 elected, with 18 athlete candidates in total. Current Chair Alistair Brownlee is stepping down from his role and he emphasised the importance of the Commission.
Brownlee said: “It has been a privilege to be the Chair of the EOC Athletes’ Commission over the past two years, and lots of good work has been done. There are not many more important roles than representing the voice of the athletes, and I am really looking forward to seeing the energy in this room and of the newly elected Commission moving forward.
“The Athletes’ Forum isn’t just about learning, it’s about building connections and an understanding between us. It is such a fundamentally important part of the Olympic Movement.”
