All sports organisations have been once again urged to elect Athlete Commissions in order to “respect the principles of democratic legitimacy, universality and diversity” following an Olympic Summit meeting.
The call was made following the meeting here chaired by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach.
It can be interpreted, however, as an implicit criticism of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), whose Athlete Committee is still appointed rather than elected.
“The Olympic Summit discussed the issue of athlete representation within the Olympic Movement,” read a communique published afterward.
“The Summit agreed that any athlete representation should respect the principles of democratic legitimacy, universality and diversity.
“The Summit encourages all IFs (International Federations) and NOCs (National Olympic Committees) which are not yet doing so to organise athletes’ representative elections in the appropriate manner and guided by these principles.
“The Summit noted the democratic and representative nature of the IOC’s Athletes’ Commission, with representatives elected at the Olympic Games by the Olympic athletes and with representation on the IOC Executive Board.”
A project by the IOC Athletes’ Commission to develop a “Charter of Athletes’ Rights” in consultation with “athletes and athletes’ representatives from the entire Olympic Movement” was also praised.
