At the IOF General Assembly in 2020, an important change was made to the IOF Statutes opening for the direct representation of 2 Athletes Representatives as voting members on the IOF Council, beginning from the next general assembly in 2022. This direct representation also means that a formal process for the election of athletes representatives in the IOF structure has been established.
As of today, the nominations process has been opened for the Athletes Advisory Groups (AAG), one for each of the 4 IOF disciplines. The elected members of the AAG will then amongst themselves appoint 2 members each to the IOF Athletes Commission (AC) and the Athletes Commission will elect the 2 Council representatives. In addition to full participation in Council, representatives from the discipline AAG will attend the respective Discipline Commission meetings to give input to issues regarding the development and management of each discipline.
Nominations to the AAG may be received from any athlete who has participated in a World Championships or World Cup event in any of the past 3 years (2018-2020). This means that recently retired athletes may become members of the AAG for up to 5 years after their retirement. Nominations are to be submitted via the Member Federation of the athlete.
Any athlete who has participated in the World Championships or a World Cup event in the past 3 years (2018-2020) will be eligible to vote in the elections.
Nominations must be received by April 1, 2021. Digital voting on the received nominations will begin approximately April 15, 2021 and will conclude on June 1, 2021. The results will be announced shortly thereafter. The intention is to have the new Athletes Representation structure fully in place by mid-July 2021. The current advisory Athletes Commissions will then be discontinued.
Link to the Terms of Reference for IOF Athlete Representation
Link to the Nomination Form Athletes Advisory Group