www.olympic.org - Site Officiel du Mouvement Olympique

© Ian Jones

Created on 27 October 1981, the Athletes' Commission is the link between active athletes and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

It is composed of active and retired athletes, holds at least one meeting each year and meets regularly with the IOC Executive Board, to which it issues recommendations.

Furthermore, the Commission forms working groups to work in liaison with the Organising Committees of the Olympic Games to ensure that athletes' needs are met.

© Ian Jones

Representatives from the Athletes' Commission take part in meetings of other IOC commissions in order to express the athletes' point of view, notably on doping, women in the Olympic Movement and the environment.

• Learn more

At each edition of the Olympic Games (summer and winter), the participating athletes are invited to vote to elect the majority of the members on the Athletes' Commission. Following the reforms adopted by the 110th IOC Session in December 1999, the Commission is composed of 19 members:

• - Eight summer sports athletes elected during the Games of the Olympiad (four at each edition of the Games).
• - Four winter sports athletes elected during the Olympic Winter Games (two at each edition of the Games).
• - Seven athletes appointed by the IOC President, to ensure a fair balance in terms of gender, sport and region.

The 12 athletes elected by their peers serve an eight-year term and become IOC members for the duration of their term with the Athletes' Commission.

In order to be eligible for the commission, athletes must have participated in the previous Olympic Games or in the Games during which the elections occur and never have been found guilty of a doping offence during their sports career. Only National Olympic Committees which have an athletes' commission may propose a candidate upon the recommendation of such commission.

El Guerrouj
Commission Member The majority of the Athletes’ commission’s members are elected by the athletes themselves.

In addition, a representative of the World Olympians Association and a representative of the International Paralympic Committee are ex-officio members.

• Current members