On March 16, 2025, the IAU Athletes Commission convened for its first meeting of the year via Zoom. The meeting was opened by Emily Harrison Torrence, the Chair of the Commission, who set the tone for an engaging and productive discussion.
The session began with updates from Nadeem Khan, the IAU President, who highlighted the importance of the Athletes Commission as a vital link between athletes and the IAU. He expressed gratitude to the commission members for their dedication and the significant work accomplished in 2024. Nadeem emphasized that the IAU is among the few global organizations to establish an Athletes Commission, aimed at enhancing communication and support for athletes.
Reflecting on the previous year, Emily noted that the commission had engaged in several important discussions during its meetings in 2024. Key topics included:
- the use of carbon-plated shoes across various race distances,
- the venue and course for the 2024 100k World Championships,
- considerations regarding accommodations for World Championships host venues
- reviewed updated transgender and anti-doping policies,
- reviewed established IAU World Record Guidelines,
- conducted voting for the 2023 and 2024 Athlete of the Year.
Nadeem further elaborated on the IAU’s activities, including meetings with federations, development of continental championships and regional initiative as a stepping stone toward organizing future World Championships. In that respect he highlighted a significant meeting with African federations in 2024 and recently announced joining of Saudi Arabia as a new member. Looking ahead, Nadeem shared details about the upcoming championships in Albi, France, where the IAU Congress will take place alongside elections for a new Executive Council.
Jacek Bedkowski, IAU Director of Communication, mentioned importance of interaction and communication with federations regarding championships and other initiatives. He highlighted successful establishment of the IAU Balkan Express Cup, a competition aimed at enhancing regional participation in ultrarunning.
The discussion then shifted towards improving the visibility of the IAU Athletes Commission. The commission aims to enhance engagement with athletes by further updates on athlete profiles on the IAU website, increasing publications on commission discussions, and exploring the possibility of anonymous feedback from athletes. Additionally, members of the Athletes Commission will be encouraged to participate in press conferences during IAU championships to enhance their accessibility and visibility.
Corrina Black, Vice Chair of the Commission, led a discussion on enhancing engagement through regular communication channels, such as quarterly newsletters and social media updates. She suggested publishing quarterly reports from the IAU Athletes Commission and implementing an online feedback button on the IAU website and/or Facebook page, enabling athletes to provide input seamlessly and also anonymously if desired. Corrina reiterated that the Commission’s primary role is to serve as a voice for athletes, providing valuable feedback to the IAU Executive Council.
Emily Harrison Torrence concluded the meeting with a motivating quote reflecting her goals for the year: "My goal for 2025 is to continue to raise awareness of the Athlete's Commission and garner engagement from the athletes so that we can further be an asset and voice for athletes across the globe."
If you have any questions to IAU Athletes Commission, you can explore each member profile or contact the Commission directly on the following email boxes:
Emails:
athletes@iau-ultramarathon.org
On behalf of IAU Athletes Commission
Jacek Bedkowski
IAU Director of Communication
