IOC Executive Board and IOC Athletes’ Commission discuss protection of athletes and International Athletes’ Forum

The protection of athletes is at the centre of the work of both the EB and AC, and so the EB was pleased to hear about a project by the AC and the IOC Medical and Scientific Commission to provide an AI-powered monitoring service for athletes taking part at the Paris 2024 Games. This tool, piloted at Olympic Esports Week, detects and collates online abuse towards athletes in real time on their social media accounts and flags serious threats. The solution operates on the major social media platforms and in all major languages. The GDPR-compliant service uses smart technology, which ensures that abusive messages can be dealt with effectively by the social media platforms and, where necessary, that legal measures can be taken quickly, relieving athletes of this burden. The system monitors thousands of accounts in real time, so that in many cases platforms are prompted to take action before the athlete has the chance to see the abuse. 

Recognising that online abuse is a key challenge affecting society today, the goal is to further support and promote athletes’ physical and mental health and well-being by ensuring safe online and offline environments, so that athletes can focus on the ultimate event of their sporting careers, and is part of the IOC’s ongoing commitment to safe sport. The service will also cover officials and coaches during the Paris 2024 Games. 

IOC President Thomas Bach commented: “The athletes are at the heart of everything we do at the IOC, which is why the elected Chair of the Athletes’ Commission has an ex officio seat on the Executive Board.” He continued: “I know that the athletes have a unique and valuable perspective on how the Games should be organised and on the issues that affect them while competing. I am therefore delighted that the Athletes’ Commission and Medical and Scientific Commission are responding to this feedback through initiatives like the AI system to protect athletes at Paris 2024 from online abuse.”

The IOC EB and AC also reflected on the productive and engaging International Athletes’ Forum held earlier this month in Lausanne, Switzerland. The IAF saw over 400 athlete representatives from 181 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), 54 International Federations (IFs), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Organising Committees for the upcoming Olympic Games (OCOGs) and Continental Associations, as well as members of the Athletes’ Declaration Steering Committee and representatives from the World Olympians Association (WOA), take part.

IOC Athletes’ Commission Chair Emma Terho said: “On behalf of our Commission, I am very grateful for the continued support of the IOC Executive Board for our work. Their trust in our work means that we are able to assist the athletes at the Games by bringing forward innovative solutions like the AI system to protect athletes at Paris 2024 from online abuse.” She continued: “Together with my fellow Commission members, we are looking forward to continuing our efforts to support athletes in their preparations for and during the upcoming Games in Gangwon and Paris.”

Among the key outcomes of the IAF discussed with the EB was the Athletes’ Commission workbook, which helps Athletes’ Commissions around the world to run their commissions as effectively as possible. Initiatives specifically for the Olympic Games like the “Road to Paris” pilot project, the updated social media guidelines for athletes and professional experience for athlete representatives were also covered.

Support for the network of Athletes’ Commissions was also high on the agenda, as was administrative support for ACs; safe sport; and athletes’ rights, clean sport and integrity. Other topics discussed were direct support for athletes through the Olympic Movement funding model, mental health support, and professional opportunities with organisations like Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS).

A number of opportunities and challenges that were raised during the forum were also discussed, including the feedback received on the Athlete365 application, which will be released before the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

Finally, the meeting looked at the IOC AC’s plans for both the Winter Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024 and the Olympic Games Paris 2024, which will use a number of different opportunities and activities to engage with the athlete populations at those Games. The activities will also seek to inform the athletes of the various services and benefits that are available to them through the IOC’s Athlete365 programme.