The 12th edition of the International Athletes’ Forum (IAF) officially begins today, bringing together
athlete representatives from around the world in Lausanne, Switzerland. Hosted by the IOC Athletes’
Commission, this highly anticipated event welcomes over 400 participants, all dedicated to
strengthening athlete representation, fostering dialogue, and ensuring support for Athletes’
Commissions (ACs) worldwide.
A Global Gathering for Athlete Advocacy
Held every two years, the IAF serves as a platform for representatives from International Federations
(IFs), National Olympic Committees (NOCs), Continental Associations, Olympic Games Organizing
Committees, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
These discussions equip ACs with essential resources, helping them amplify athlete voices while tackling
key challenges in sport governance, well-being, and athlete rights.
How to Follow the Forum
Athletes and stakeholders unable to attend in person can still engage with the Forum remotely—all
plenary sessions will be streamed live on the IOC Media YouTube channel. Discussions can also be
followed via Athlete365, where updates and insights will be posted throughout the event.
You can watch today’s session Live Here: https://www.youtube.com/live/i6053608LUo?feature=shared
Day 1 Highlights and Key Sessions
IOC AC Update and Strategy Overview (9:15 a.m. CET) IOC AC Chair Emma Terho, First Vice-Chair Maja
Włoszczowska, and Second Vice-Chair Abhinav Bindra will open the Forum with updates on their recent
work, sharing insights into available athlete support initiatives, including Athlete365.
Keynote Session: Pau Gasol in Conversation (10:00 a.m. CET) Two-time Olympic medalist and NBA
legend Pau Gasol will take the stage in a special panel discussion, featuring a surprise guest—a sporting
icon set to deliver invaluable perspectives on athlete representation and leadership.
Athlete Support Panel (4:00 p.m. CET) In a crucial session, 11-time Olympic medalist Allyson Felix will
moderate a panel discussion on athlete support, featuring insights on IOC resources, Olympic Solidarity,
and Worldwide Olympic Partner initiatives designed to empower athletes across all disciplines. With such an exciting lineup, the IAF promises to be a groundbreaking forum, ensuring that athletes’
voices are heard and that meaningful action follows these discussions.
Stay tuned for live updates and be part of the conversation using #IAF2025!
