Athlete representatives from Europe’s National Olympic Committees (NOC) will gather in Rome from 6-7 November for the seventh European Athletes’ Forum.

Hosted by the European Olympic Committees (EOC) and Italian National Olympic Committee, each NOC has the opportunity to send two representatives to the Forum, where elections for four spots (three summer athletes, one winter athlete) on the EOC Athletes’ Commission will be held.

The Forum provides an important platform for Athlete Commissions from across Europe to come together to discuss the key issues facing the Olympic Movement and to listen to the athlete voice on notable topics.

During the seventh annual Forum, IOC Member and Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission Emma Terho will make a presentation and join a panel discussion alongside Alistair Brownlee (IOC and EOC Athletes Commission member) and Luiza Zlotkowska (EOC Athletes Commission Member) to discuss best practices for national Athletes Commissions. On the second day, there will be workshop ahead of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 focused on how athletes can promote the Games and their brand with inputs from IOC Athlete 365 and the Paris 2024 Local Organising Committee.

EOC Athletes’ Commission Chair Gerd Kanter, who will stand down following six years in the position at the Forum, emphasised the importance of bringing together athlete representatives for these vital discussions.

Mr Kanter said: “Athletes are the beating heart of the Olympic Movement in Europe and it is essential that our voices and opinions are heard by both NOC leaders and the EOC. These forums offer us a perfect opportunity for discussing the topics that are close to use, sharing best practice for amplifying the athlete voice and for ensuring that we are truly representing the views of European athletes.

“The EOC remains committed to serving their athletes and this has been shown by the large number of high-quality multi-sport events that they have hosted in 2023. I know from my experience over the past six years that the EOC leadership in attendance recognise the importance of the Athletes’ Forum and the Athletes’ Commission, and are committed to working closely with all European athletes.”