Several meetings and workshops punctuated the 9th Forum for European Athletes, including: organizing the 2nd European Games in Minsk, Belarus for 2019; protecting clean athletes and continuing the fight against doping; IOC presentation about support programs for athletes.
HSH Prince Albert II spoke on Friday before a hundred Olympians from the fifty National Olympic Committees of Europe. As a member of the International Olympic Committee since 1985, President of the Monegasque Olympic Committee since 1994, former Vice-President of the IOC Athletes Commission (1989-2008), then honorary member until 2015, HSH the Prince Sovereign recalled that the 2020 Agenda (voted on during the 127th IOC Session in 2014 in Monaco) is “the strategic roadmap that shapes the future of the Olympic Movement. Through 40 recommendations, the protection of athletes holds a more than important place, which we can only rejoice. The time is now, more than ever, to implement these recommendations. Thus, during these two days of debate, we shall address many essential points, including the role of the Athletes’ Commission within different instances, or the protection of athletes and their integrity.”
Prince Albert’s speech concluded with: “As Olympians, for the most part already invested in the institutions of your respective countries, you have understood the importance of your roles and responsibilities. Athletes are at the heart of the Olympic Movement and must stay there. This is why the main guidelines adopted by the IOC make you continental, regional, national and especially local intermediaries.”
During the 5th Assembly, a new office was also elected: Gerd Kanter (Estonia, discus thrower, Olympic champion in 2008, bronze medalist in 2012) is the new president of the European Athletes’ Commission for the 2017-2021 term (he succeeds Jean-Michel Saive, Belgium table tennis athlete). Balazs Baji is the new Vice-President (Hungary, track and field athlete, Olympian 2008-2012) and David Harte is the new Secretary (Ireland, Field Hockey).