The opening day of the 12th International Athletes’ Forum (IAF) in Lausanne, Switzerland was marked by inspiring discussions and powerful exchanges among athlete leaders. One of the standout moments came as IFMA Athletes’ Commission Chair Lennert Swart had the opportunity to meet IOC elect President Kirsty Coventry, a historic moment in the evolution of athlete representation within the Olympic movement.
Reflecting on the energy of the first day, Swart shared: “The energy on Day 1 has been incredible—it’s truly empowering to be surrounded by so many passionate athlete leaders committed to shaping the future of sport. Every session today reinforces why athlete voices matter at every level. As a fellow African, I am immensely proud to have met Africa’s most highly decorated athlete, the former Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, and now the first African and first woman to serve as incoming IOC President. It is a historic and inspiring moment that fills me with pride.”
His words capture the spirit of IAF 2025, where athletes from across the globe come together to discuss key issues, build relationships, and ensure that their voices remain at the heart of sport governance. With Coventry set to lead the IOC into its next era, this exchange underscores the importance of collaboration, athlete empowerment, and a shared vision for the future.
A Global Gathering for Athlete Advocacy
Held every two years, the IAF serves as a platform for representatives from International Federations (IFs), National Olympic Committees (NOCs), Continental Associations, Olympic Games Organizing Committees, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). These discussions equip ACs with essential resources, helping them amplify athlete voices while tackling key challenges in sport governance, well-being, and athlete rights.
How to Follow the Forum
Athletes and stakeholders unable to attend in person can still engage with the Forum remotely—all plenary sessions will be streamed live on the IOC Media YouTube channel. Discussions can also be followed via Athlete365, where updates and insights will be posted throughout the event.
You can follow today’s session here:
Day 1 Highlights and Key Sessions
The first day of the IAF 2025 is set to deliver powerful discussions, led by renowned athlete leaders and experts:
IOC AC Update and Strategy Overview (9:15 a.m. CET) IOC AC Chair Emma Terho, First Vice-Chair Maja Włoszczowska, and Second Vice-Chair Abhinav Bindra will open the Forum with updates on their recent work, sharing insights into available athlete support initiatives, including Athlete365.
Keynote Session: Pau Gasol in Conversation (10:00 a.m. CET) Two-time Olympic medalist and NBA legend Pau Gasol will take the stage in a special panel discussion, featuring a surprise guest—a sporting icon set to deliver invaluable perspectives on athlete representation and leadership.
Athlete Support Panel (4:00 p.m. CET) In a crucial session, 11-time Olympic medalist Allyson Felix will moderate a panel discussion on athlete support, featuring insights on IOC resources, Olympic Solidarity, and Worldwide Olympic Partner initiatives designed to empower athletes across all disciplines.
With such an exciting lineup, the IAF promises to be a groundbreaking forum, ensuring that athletes’ voices are heard and that meaningful action follows these discussions.
Stay tuned for more updates from Lausanne as IFMA’s representatives continue to contribute to these meaningful conversations! #IAF2025!
