UAE National Olympic Committee Engages At International Athletes' Forum In Lausanne To Address Key Athlete Issues

The UAE National Olympic Committee (NOC), through its Athletes’ Committee, took part in the 12th International Athletes’ Forum (IAF) on 11th–12th June in Lausanne, Switzerland. Representing the committee were Mohammed Al Nakhy and Aisha Jasem Al Ali. This forum is the largest global gathering of athlete representatives, organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Commission.

Over 400 participants attended the forum to discuss critical issues impacting athletes and to share ideas for enhancing support from their respective commissions. The event included plenary sessions and workshops that explored various support mechanisms available from the IOC, Olympic Solidarity, and global Olympic partners.

The workshops addressed several important topics such as anti-doping measures, mental health and well-being, prevention of match manipulation, social media strategies for athletes’ commissions, sustainability practices, and effective governance of commissions. These sessions aimed to equip athlete representatives with knowledge and tools to better support their communities.

Updates on upcoming major Olympic Games were also shared during the forum. These included Milano Cortina 2026, Los Angeles 2028, the French Alps 2030, and Brisbane 2032. Such updates are crucial for planning and preparation by athletes and their supporting bodies.

On the sidelines of the event, Mohammed Al Nakhy and Aisha Jasem Al Ali engaged with Kirsty Coventry, who will become Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission on 23rd June. They also conversed with Emma Terho, who currently holds this position. These interactions provided valuable opportunities to discuss future directions for athlete representation.

The International Athletes’ Forum occurs biennially, offering a platform for athletes’ commissions from various bodies like International Federations, National Olympic Committees, Continental Associations, Olympic Games Organising Committees, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to meet. This gathering allows them to deliberate on matters significant to athletes worldwide.

This year’s forum successfully brought together diverse voices from across the globe to address pressing issues in sports today. By fostering dialogue among athlete representatives and stakeholders, it continues to play a vital role in shaping policies that affect athletes at all levels.

With inputs from WAM