adminSports Reporter
THE Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa Athletes’ Commission Forum gets underway today at Rainbow Towers in Harare with more than 120 delegates expected to attend.
The Zimbabwe Olympic Committee are hosting the forum which runs until Friday and the official opening ceremony is slated for today.
The International Olympic Committee wants to place athletes at the heart of the Olympic Movement.
The IOC Athletes’ Commission, chaired by the IOC member in Zimbabwe and Olympic gold medallist Kirsty Coventry, serves as a link between the athletes and the IOC. 0“The responsibilities of the IOC Athletes Commission are to empower athlete representation in Olympic Movement decision-making processes, support athlete development in their sporting and non-sporting careers.
‘‘(It also aims to) promote athlete involvement in decision-making across the Olympic Movement, ensure athlete representation in Olympic Movement decision-making,” said Coventry.
A key objective of the IOC Athletes’ Commission for the 2017 to 2020 has been creation of a tangible link between the IOC Athletes’ Commission and the continental associations.
To this end the IOC, through its Olympic Solidarity Commission, confirmed the organising of the African continental Athletes’ Forum in Harare.
Each of the 54 National Olympic Committees in Africa will be represented by two members at the forum.
In attendance will be the IOC and ANOCA dignitaries as well as a representative from the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Former Olympian Abel Chimukoko, who leads the ZOC Athletes’ Commission, said they were excited to be hosting the forum. “This is the second forum and we are hosting. It shows they (the IOC) have trust and confidence in us. So, it’s a great achievement.
“To Kirsty, it’s an honour because she chairs the IOC Athletes’ Commission,’’ said Chimukoko.
Online Reporter