With Bermuda Olympic Association President Judy Simons and Secretary General Stanley Douglas in attendance International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach attacked officials who claim to speak on behalf of competitors across the world as he stepped up his insistence that the organization’s own Athletes' Commission is one of the only groups which has the legitimate right to do so.
In a keynote address at the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) General Assembly, Bach criticized officials that "Have Not Been Elected By Anybody In The Sports World" who have spoken out in the recent debate on increased representation for athletes in major organizations.
His speech came after the IOC Athletes' Commission confirmed it would hold what it claims will be the largest edition of the International Athletes' Forum next year.
Athlete representatives from all 206 National Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commissions will be added to the list of invitees for the first time.
The IOC President called for all NOCs to send an athlete to the forum, scheduled to be held in Lausanne from April 13th to 15th.
"This Athletes' Forum has another legitimacy to express the opinion of the athletes of the world," Bach added.
This serves as an opportunity for past, present and future Bermuda Olympians to have a local voice, so when they are represented at the forum, they are actually heard.
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