On 14 August 2023, the World Athletics Council formally adopted new Athletes’ Representatives Rules (Rules) (See section C.5.1) which have introduced a centralised regulatory framework governing the activities of Athletes’ Representatives (ARs) on a worldwide basis.
The new Rules enter into force in two waves:
- on 1 September 2023, the licensing process opened for any individual that wishes to be licensed by World Athletics as an AR;
- on 1 January 2024, the obligation for certain ranked athletes and/or certain elite competitions to only engage or negotiate with individuals licensed by World Athletics as an AR commences.
This section of the website currently lists ARs licensed by Member Federations pursuant to the 2022 edition of the Rules. Those licences expire on 31 December 2023.
From the first week of October 2023, this section of the website will only list ARs licensed pursuant to the new Rules, meaning they are eligible to perform ‘AR Services’ (as defined in the Rules) from 1 January 2024. The list of ARs licensed pursuant to the 2022 edition of the Rules will be available in a single document to download here.
Rule 6.1 of the new Rules provides that all applicants to become licensed must:
(i) submit a complete licence application (including payment of the application fee);
(ii) comply with the eligibility requirements (Rule 8);
(iii) successfully pass the exam (Rule 9). In certain cases, an applicant may be exempt from this requirement (Rule 26 or Rule 27);
(iv) pay the annual licence fee (Rule 10); and
(v) (if applicable) obtain professional indemnity insurance (Rule 11).
Applications to be licensed can be submitted on the World Athletics Athletes’ Representatives Portal (Portal). Further information about the licensing process, including the requirement for applicants to undergo vetting, can be found in the Portal.
If you have any further questions about the new AR scheme, please do not hesitate to contact us (select 'athlete representatives' on the form).