It was a symbolic moment, when over 100 athlete representatives from across the 54 NOCs in Africa gathered in Namibia from 4 to 6 April to discuss the most important topics for athletes and athlete representatives from the continent were joined by IOC President elect, Kirsty Coventry.
It was her first official event since her election in March 2025. “I am a proud African Olympian. I understand firsthand the journey, challenges, and triumphs of African athletes. This Forum is like a full-circle moment for me, as the Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, I had the privilege of hosting the African Athletes’ Forum in Zimbabwe in 2018. I was present again in 2023 and very proud to be again with my fellow African athletes. No matter my role, I will always be an Olympian and will remain an advocate for athletes and athlete representatives,” she said.
Coventry went on: “Everything I have achieved, be it in my sporting career or as an athlete representative in Africa and at the IOC, or my various responsibilities in my country and across the Olympic movement, I have achieved them because of team work. I look forward to continuing the same unity and teamwork approach in my new role.”
Organized by the ANOCA and hosted by the Namibian NOC, athletes were welcomed during the Opening Session by the Namibian Sports Minister and NOC President.
Throughout the Forum, funded by the Olympic Solidarity, athlete representatives had the opportunity to share best practices, network, learn from each other and receive tools and resources to be effective in their role as athlete representatives.
During the two-day event, participants received presentations on important topics such as update from the IOC Athletes’ Commission, Olympic Solidarity, Athlete365 programmes, career transition as well as anti-doping and prevention of competition manipulation.
“Firstly, I want to thank ANOCA and Namibian NOC for their support for the organization of this Forum. I am very proud to host athlete representatives from Africa in my home country. This event was a fantastic opportunity for all of us to network, share ideas and inspire each other. It was important for our ANOCA Athletes’ Commission to take the opportunity during this event to provide all African athlete representatives with tools and resources and also importantly to empower them with knowledge so they are successful in their role,” said Gaby Ahrens, Chair of the ANOCA Athletes’ Commission. “This Forum enabled us to showcase all the resources and programmes available from IOC and stakeholders to African athletes. I am very grateful for all these resources and tools which would empower our Athletes’ Commissions and importantly athletes across Africa to be successful and make their dream come true”, she added.
Emma Terho, Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, added: “Athlete representation in Africa has come a long way, and even more so in the past two years since the last ANOCA Athletes’ Forum in 2023. It is very encouraging to see how eager our fellow athlete representatives are to support and represent athletes effectively in their country. I am particularly grateful for the leadership of the ANOCA Athletes’ Commission and their Chair, Gaby, for their tireless work and dedication.”
Effective Athletes’ Commissions in Africa
Reflecting on the importance of the collaboration between Athletes’ Commissions and their respective National Olympic Committees, participants benefited from a dedicated workshop focusing on communication and stakeholder management skills. “Listening to athletes is very important to us on the ANOCA Executive Committee. We are here to show our solidarity with athlete representatives from across our continent to ensure that they are heard and have the full support of their NOC leadership to make an impact in their role. Athletes must be at the center of our attention, they must be part of important decisions for and about them.”, said ANOCA 1st Vice President, João Manuel da Costa Alegre.
A workshop was also dedicated to best practices for the NOC AC Activity Grant where all NOC AC have access to 10’000 USD each year from Olympic Solidarity to support them for their activities .
Olympic and Youth Olympic Games
Athlete representatives also celebrated the incredible and successful Paris 2024 Olympic Games where African athletes won 39 Olympic medals. Additionally, participants had a presentation from Balla Dieye, the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Sports Director, on the preparation for this historic event in Dakar which would be the first Olympic event in the continent. Proud of having the first Olympic event in their continent, participants shared their support and excitement for this historical event.
Olympic Solidarity
The importance of Olympic movement solidarity model and Olympic solidarity programmes were highlighted through different discussions, noting the increase in the budget of Olympic Solidarity for athlete programmes for 2025-2028 Olympiad. This increased in the Olympic solidarity budget was highly appreciated by athlete representatives as it will help athletes from across the continent in their path towards LA28 Olympic Games. During an engaging session, participants learnt about various Olympic Solidarity programmes and had the opportunity to ask questions and share their feedback and experience.
Integrity and clean sport
As part of the Forum, athlete representatives provided feedback for the World Anti-Doping Code review process as part of the consultation process. WADA representatives also shared information on various educational programmes of WADA. A separate panel also focused on the importance prevention of competition manipulation and resources available to athletes on this topic from the IOC.
