In September 1981, during the 11th Olympic Congress held in Baden-Baden, Germany, the voice of athletes was heard for the first time in the Olympic Movement. Twenty-five Olympians participated in the event, and six of them, including Olympic fencing champion Thomas Bach, were chosen to address the 469 official delegates. Their speeches, although brief, marked a turning point in the history of Olympism, which will now continue with Kirsty Coventry, former president of the Athletes’ Commission.

A month later, the then president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Juan Antonio Samaranch, promoted the creation of the IOC Athletes’ Commission (AC), incorporating the six speakers as founding members. The commission’s first meeting took place in May 1982, becoming an active forum on issues such as the fight against doping, gender equality, and eligibility rules. Over the years, the commission grew, and by 1996, ten of its members were elected by the athletes themselves during the Olympic Games.

The Olympic Agenda and athletes’ rights

The year 2000 marked a fundamental change: athletes became part of the IOC membership, with 12 elected members and the commission president occupying a seat on the Executive Board. The Olympic Agenda 2020, launched in December 2014, included five specific recommendations to place athletes at the center of the Olympic Movement, from legal changes to the Olympic Charter to the protection of clean athletes and the strengthening of support inside and outside of competition.

The Olympic Agenda 2020+5, presented in 2021, continued this line, consolidating the rights and responsibilities of athletes. These roadmaps have been key to athletes playing an active role in IOC decision-making and the evolution of Olympism.

Athletes in decision-making

Currently, up to 15 athletes are members of the IOC, equaling the number of presidents of National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and International Federations (IFs). In addition, athletes are represented on all relevant IOC commissions and on the Executive Board. Emma Terho, chair of the Athletes’ Commission, highlights the importance of athletes’ voices being heard from the outset of any decision-making process. The global network of athlete representatives has grown significantly, with more than 190 of the 206 NOCs now having their own commission.

One of the most notable results of the Olympic Agenda 2020+5 has been the creation of the IOC Athletes Department, led by Kaveh Mehrabi and composed of a team of Olympians and former elite athletes. This department, structured into four areas, is dedicated to providing support and resources to athletes at all stages of their careers, from training to professional transition.

The department works closely with the Athletes’ Commission and the global network, developing programs and resources ranging from personal well-being to communication and digital activation. Rodrigo Garza, Spanish Olympic medalist, emphasizes the confidence that comes from having athletes themselves lead these initiatives.

Athlete365: the world’s largest community of athletes

Under Recommendation 18 of the Olympic Agenda 2020, Athlete365 was created, a platform that brings together more than 200,000 members, including Olympians, Paralympians, and elite athletes. Athlete365 offers content, advice, and training opportunities in six languages, as well as physical meeting spaces at the Olympic Games and other events.

Among the specific support offered by Athlete365 are the Airbnb Athlete Travel Grant and the Airbnb500 program, both related to travel. In addition, the Athlete365 Career+ program supports athletes in their transition to professional life with workshops, advice, and employment and networking opportunities. More than 60,000 athletes have participated in these initiatives, which are delivered in collaboration with NOCs and IFs and in several languages.

Employment and entrepreneurship opportunities

The Olympic Agenda reforms have promoted the creation of employment opportunities for athletes, both at the IOC and at the Olympic Games, and through TOP partner programs. At Paris 2024, 41 Olympians and six Paralympians worked for Olympic Broadcasting Services, while the Athlete365 Business Accelerator has helped more than 3,700 athletes start their own business ventures.

With the arrival of Kirsty Coventry as IOC President, athletes have a new Olympic champion and former Chair of the Athletes’ Commission at the helm of the institution. Coventry has expressed her commitment to maintaining open dialogue and prioritizing the needs of athletes, expanding existing programs.