Nominations have opened for athletes to stand for election on the International Canoe Federation Athletes’ Committee.
National Federations are being encouraged to put forward athletes to be on the ballot paper for this year’s elections.
A total of eight athletes will be on the ICF Athletes’ Committee including two from Canoe Sprint, two from Canoe Slalom, two from Paracanoe, and two representatives from non-Olympic disciplines.
Gender parity will be reached in the eight-member group with a male and female athlete elected from each of these disciplines.
Terms will run from 2025 to 2029 with those elected representing the interests of their fellow athletes at ICF meetings and in discussions about the future direction of paddle sports.
A deadline of July 14 has been set for nominee submissions with the list of candidates revealed on July 21.
The ICF will appoint a Nominations Commission to confirm the eligibility of all nominees prior to the publication of this list.
Voting for the Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe representatives will take place during the ICF Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships from August 20 to 24 in Milan, Italy, with the election results announced following the conclusion of the competition.
Slalom paddlers will have an opportunity to vote when Penrith, Australia stages the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships from September 29 to October 4, with the elected representatives added to ICF Athletes’ Committee following the competition.
There are fantastic athletes out there that can be great ambassadors for our sport worldwide
The ICF Board of Directors will then meet in late October to confirm the final two members from the non-Olympic disciplines after recommendations by the other six elected representatives.
A meeting will also be held where the eight-member Athletes’ Committee will elect their own Committee Chair, who will have a place on the ICF Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
Athletes’ Committee members will act as ambassadors within the ICF’s athlete support programmes on topics including mental health and wellbeing, prevention of harassment in sport, anti-doping in sport and prevention of competition manipulation.
They will also serve as ambassadors for paddle sports outside of the ICF as they are encouraged to nominate for positions on multi-sport Athletes’ Committees of Board in national and international sport.
Among the goals of the ICF Athletes’ Committee is to establish and maintain two-way communication with athletes in the paddling community at all levels of the sport and work for the benefit of all paddlers.
The Athletes’ Committee will hold regular meetings with all its members and will be the voice of the athletes on all discussions within the ICF’s decision-making bodies.
ICF President Thomas Konietzko said: “Athletes are the beating heart of the ICF and are central to our decisions when shaping the future of our global sport.
“As we forge ahead with our Fit for Future Evolution strategy, athletes will play an essential role in elevating paddle sports to greater heights.
“That’s why it is pivotal to have an Athletes’ Committee that represents the interests of all athletes, and I know there are fantastic athletes out there that can be great ambassadors for our sport worldwide.”
To be eligible, athletes must be at least 18 years of age, must be nominated by their National Federation and must have previously competed at a World Championships, World Cup, Olympic Games, Paralympic Games or The World Games.
For more information about the role and responsibility of the ICF Athletes’ Committee, click here.
Athletes wishing to be considered for nomination should contact their National Federation as soon as possible.
All National Federations can be found here.
