About the World Athletics Athletes' Commission

The Athletes’ Commission is part of World Athletics’ decision-making process. It advises the Council on the athletes’ perspective(s) and serves as a link between the athletes and World Athletics.

The Athletes’ Commission is comprised of up to 18 members as follows:

• • 12  members who are elected by their peers;
  • Up to 6 other members, who are nominated by Member Federations and appointed by the Council.

Of the 12 elected members, 6 are elected at each World Athletics Championships, so there is an election of 6 athletes every 2 years.

The importance of athletes to decision-making within World Athletics has been recognised in its governance reform in 2016. Since 2019, the Chairperson and one other member of the Athletes’ Commission are full voting members of the World Athletics Council. The Athletes currently holding these positions on Council are Renaud Lavillenie (FRA, as Chair) and Dame Valerie Adams (NZL, as Deputy Chair). 

Since 2020, SPIKES has become the public-facing platform for the Athletes' Commission where thoughts, ideas and stories from commission members are shared to keep the athlete community updated about conversations the Athletes' Commission is involved in.