IPACS engages with athletes at 2025 International Athletes’ Forum
Last week, the International Partnership against Corruption in Sport (IPACS) was on site at the International Athletes’ Forum, which brought together more than 400 athlete representatives from NOCs, IFs, OCOGs, WADA, the IPC, IOC-recognised federations and members of the Athletes’ Declaration Steering Committee. Held on 11 and 12 June in Lausanne (Switzerland), the event served once again as an important platform to discuss the issues that matter most to athletes, while equipping them with resources designed to strengthen their own athletes’ commissions.
Empowering athletes through knowledge transfer
IPACS was present with a booth to raise awareness about the importance of good governance in sport and educate participants about the negative impact of corruption. Athlete representatives were invited to take part in an interactive flip card challenge designed to raise awareness about common forms of corruption, promote the values of integrity and transparency, and highlight what athletes can do when witnessing, or being victims of, wrongdoing.
The role of athletes in preventing corruption
IPACS athletes’ representative Oluseyi Smith, a two-time summer and winter Olympian in athletics and bobsleigh, highlighted that “sports organisations must be as transparent and honest as we expect athletes on the field of play to be”.
He added: “Athletes have a role to play. They can voice concerns and advocate for improved governance standards. This starts with being able to identify wrongdoing, knowing the red flags, and understanding where and how to report them. That’s exactly why we are here at the Forum, raising awareness of the importance of protecting sport’s integrity at all levels.”
On this note, Pau Gasol Sáez, an IOC Athletes Commission and IOC Ethics Commission member, two-time Olympic medallist and NBA legend, highlighted: “Athletes dedicate their lives to fair competition. That same fairness must be reflected beyond the field, in the way sport is governed. Addressing corruption and promoting integrity isn’t just about good management – it’s about showing respect for athletes and upholding the values that give sport its true meaning. As athletes, we must help lead the way. We should be role models, voices for change, and advocates of integrity.”
Learning about tools and resources
The athletes’ representatives were also briefed on how to access the IPACS library resources, including the IPACS Sport Governance Benchmark. The Benchmark serves as a tool to guide sports organisations to improve their governance practices in areas like conflicts of interest management and mitigation, transparency, reporting mechanisms, accountability, and development.
Athlete representatives completed the quiz, discussed their views on sports governance, and left with resources and tools to take back home.
As the Forum wrapped up, one message resonated: Empowering athletes, protecting integrity, shaping tomorrow – together.