#MicronesiaHereWeAre – Standing up to the Challenge
The pilot Micronesian Sub-Regional Athletes’ Forum was held in Guam in March, with Ricardo Blas, Secretary General (SG) of the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC), encouraging athlete representatives to ‘stand up to represent yourself and to represent your Athletes’ Commission.’
SG Blas reminded participants about the responsibilities that come with being representatives of an Athletes’ Commission (AC), and the important role of sitting on the Executive Board of a National Olympic Committee (NOC).
“It is mandated that all NOCs in the world need to form an Athletes’ Commission and the Athletes’ Commission representative must sit on the NOC Executive Board.
“The AC representative is not elected to the NOC Executive Board – they become an automatic member of the EB by virtue of their role of representing the AC.”
Opportunities
SG Blas said that ONOC delivered the pilot forum to achieve some important outcomes, key amongst them is ‘being able to empower athletes to access the different programmes and funding opportunities available to them.’
“It’s about selling ideas to enable your NOC to buy into programmes that you and your athletes want to target.
“You become a champion for your Commission and a champion for your athletes,” SG Blas added.
Programme ahead
The pilot Micronesian Sub-Regional Athletes’ Forum began on Monday 13 March and concluded on Friday 17 March, 2023.
The forum was being held for the first time within the sub-region, with NOC athlete representatives from the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru and Palau all attending.
Video Highlights
Tasi Limtiaco | Federated States of Micronesia
Mia Aquino | Guam
Anthony Rudimch | Palau
Article adapted from the ONOC website.