The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced the list of candidates for the IOC Athletes’ Commission election, scheduled to take place during the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Eleven athletes from diverse backgrounds and sports have thrown their hats into the ring, competing for two coveted positions on the Commission.
Meet the Candidates:
– Oleksandr Abramenko (Freestyle Skiing, Ukraine)
– Zhanbota Aldabergenova (Freestyle Skiing, Kazakhstan)
– Dario Cologna (Cross-Country Skiing, Switzerland)
– Yohan Goncalves Goutt (Alpine Skiing, Timor-Leste)
– Cong Han (Figure Skating, China)
– Ilkka Herola (Nordic Combined, Finland)
– Ádám Kónya (Cross-Country Skiing, Hungary)
– Magnus Nedregotten (Curling, Norway)
– Johanna Talihärm (Biathlon, Estonia)
– Marielle Thompson (Freestyle Skiing, Canada)
– Yunjong Won (Bobsleigh, Republic of Korea)
IOC Athletes’ Commission Chair Emma Terho expressed her enthusiasm for the strong and diverse group of candidates, saying, “It is always inspiring to see athletes from around the world step forward to represent their peers… I’m really encouraged to see such a strong and diverse group of candidates stepping up, and I wish them all the best in the upcoming election.”
The Election Process:
– Voting will take place from January 30 to February 18, 2026, at the Olympic Villages.
– All athletes competing at Milano Cortina 2026 are eligible to vote.
– The two candidates with the most votes from different sports will be elected to serve eight-year terms on the IOC Athletes’ Commission.
About the IOC Athletes’ Commission:
The IOC Athletes’ Commission plays a vital role in ensuring athlete perspectives are included in Olympic decision-making. Established in 1981, the Commission comprises elected and appointed members, representing athletes across sports, regions, and gender. The Commission has been instrumental in initiatives like Athlete365, mental health support, and career transition programs.
