It has been a privilege to lead the EOC AC for the last six years and also to be a liaison to the IOC AC. It is a fantastic achievement that all 50 NOCs in Europe now have an AC, and I hope the progress continues in the years to come.
Gerd Kanter OLY, former EOC AC Chair
EOC Athletes’ Commission election
During the Forum, which was funded by Olympic Solidarity, the EOC Athletes’ Commission elected four new members. Every NOC AC in Europe had the chance to vote for their continental athlete representatives after hearing the presentations from each candidate.
Elected to the EOC AC for a term of two years were Johanna Taliharm (Estonia), Alexandra Miskovska-Longova (Slovakia), Zoruna Arunovic (Serbia) and Ronald Rauhe (Germany).
Following the election, the new-look EOC AC held its first meeting, and the members elected Alistair Brownlee (Great Britain) as the new Chair of the EOC AC, replacing outgoing Chair Gerd Kanter (Estonia).
Reflecting on his six years as Chair, Gerd said: “It has been a privilege to lead the EOC AC for the last six years and also to be a liaison to the IOC AC. It is a fantastic achievement that all 50 NOCs in Europe now have an AC, and I hope the progress continues in the years to come.”
New EOC AC Chair Alistair paid tribute to Gerd’s successful term: “Gerd has led the Commission so well and has achieved a lot in his role. I am excited to get started and work together with the NOC ACs in Europe to ensure athletes are represented and supported in the best possible way.”
Gerd has led the Commission so well and has achieved a lot in his role. I am excited to get started and work together with the NOC ACs in Europe to ensure athletes are represented and supported in the best possible way.
Alistair Brownlee, EOC AC Chair
Athlete representatives share recent and future projects
Over the two days, participants discussed a number of important topics, such as the Olympic Solidarity funding available to athletes, the activities of the IOC AC and EOC, and the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris and Milan/Cortina.
Through an inspiring panel discussion featuring the NOC ACs of Denmark, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Portugal, participants learned how these commissions were representing and supporting their athletes in a number of different ways.
A dedicated breakout session on projects and activities saw the athlete representatives share the projects they had delivered over the last year using the Olympic Solidarity NOC AC Activity Grant, as well as their plans and ideas for 2024.
IOC AC Chair Emma Terho was impressed by the level of activities from the European NOC ACs: “We have heard so many great ways in which ACs are supporting their athletes in Europe, which is great to see. Hopefully the participants go back to their countries feeling inspired and motivated to do even more!”
Administration support identified as crucial for ACs
A common theme throughout the two days of discussions was the importance and effectiveness of dedicated administration support from the ACs’ organisations.
More and more NOCs are providing administration support for their AC to help the running of the commission, and also giving assistance to their activities and events. The Forum participants emphasised the importance of such resources, and encouraged all NOCs to support their ACs.
The EOC announced during the event that a dedicated member of staff would provide support and assistance to the work of the EOC AC and also to all the NOC ACs in Europe.
NOC ACs can apply for the USD 10,000 Olympic Solidarity Activity Grant each year – this can be used to organise projects and activities focused on supporting athletes.
