IFSC in Lausanne for Olympic Forums

Home to the International Olympic Committee, Lausanne, Switzerland, saw the largest ever International Athletes’ Forum and the 4th International Federation Gender Equality Forum take place this weekend. IFSC President Marco Maria Scolaris, Sport Director Silvia Verdolini, Head of Olympic Coordination Jérôme Meyer, and IFSC Athletes’ Commission member Charlotte Durif, gathered in Lausanne to attend the Forums and host the first meeting of the IFSC Olympic Engagement Programme.

International Athletes’ Forum Proposes to Further Increase Athlete Support

The IFSC was one of 50 International Federations (IFs) to attend the International Athletes’ Forum (IAF) in Lausanne this weekend, with Head of Olympic Coordination Jérôme Meyer and IFSC Athletes’ Commission member Charlotte Durif participating in the 9th edition of the event.

Putting forward recommendations to increase support for athletes across all levels, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, 350 athlete representatives from 185 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), continental Athletes’ Commissions (ACs), ACs for the Organising Committees of the upcoming Olympic host cities, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the World Olympians Association (WOA) also joined the Forum.

IOC President Thomas Bach during the International Athletes' Forum.

Following a series of discussions, a total of nine recommendations were proposed by the Forum. Ranging from strengthening athlete funding and fostering engagement amongst the Athletes’ Commissions’ network, to focussing on athletes’ mental health and continuing the ongoing fight against doping, the IAF proposals gained unanimous support in a closing vote. The IFSC also showed its full support for the recommendations, with the IFSC Athletes’ Commission planning to implement each proposal in future IFSC developments.

“The International Athletes’ Forum was a great opportunity to meet members of the Olympic family, including IOC President Thomas Bach,” said IFSC Athletes’ Commission member Charlotte Durif. “The Sport Climbing community are delighted to be a part of this family and will continue to share the message of the IOC Athletes’ Commission moving forward."

IFSC Athletes’ Commission member Charlotte Durif.

4th International Federation Gender Equality Forum

Lausanne also played host to the 4th IF Gender Equality Forum on Friday, where 50 IF representatives including IFSC Sport Director Silvia Verdolini, gathered to exchange over the effective implementation of the IOC Gender Equality Recommendations in their respective Federations.

“Sport Climbing has gender equality rooted in its foundations with equal prize money, similar participation across men and women, and the same venue requirements,” stated IFSC Sport Director Silvia Verdolini. “We’re now working towards creating a more gender-balanced IFSC officiating team.”

IFSC Olympic Engagement Programme

Whilst in Lausanne, IFSC President Marco Maria Scolaris, Sport Director Silvia Verdolini, Head of Olympic Coordination Jérôme Meyer, and IFSC Athletes’ Commission member Charlotte Durif, met key brands and media representatives from the Sport Climbing community for the first meeting of the Olympic Engagement Programme. Assisted by members of the IOC management team, the IFSC presented the Olympic Movement to the community, ahead of Sport Climbing’s appearance at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 next year.

As Sport Climbing athletes were competing in the IFSC Speed and Bouldering World Cups in Moscow, Russia, they were unable to attend. However, all will be present during the follow-up meeting in Vail, USA, in June.