Micronesian athlete representatives convene for pilot sub-regional forum

Forum highlights

The five-day robust forum was a pilot Athletes’ Commission (AC) forum for the Micronesian sub-region of the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC).

Ricardo Blas, Secretary General of ONOC said, “The Sub-Regional Micronesian Athletes’ Forum looks at empowering athletes in the region to use the platform of sport to improve access to athlete opportunities.”

AC role and priority areas

“The Forum looked at identifying the roles of athlete representatives and the Athletes’ Commission as key structures within the Olympic Movement.

“Micronesia as a region faces a unique set of challenges, which include climate change, natural disasters, rising youth populations, gender inequality and geographical isolation.

“While these challenges make it difficult for countries and NOCs (National Olympic Committees) to work in sport, the Olympic Movement offers pathways and priority areas for athletes to bring attention to the challenges.”

Funding opportunities

SG Blas shared, “Additionally, the forum looked at the various funding opportunities available for athletes, AC programmes and AC priority areas.”

“These opportunities for athletes start at the international level and trickle down to the continental level and the national level.”

Action plans and AC calendars

SG Blas said that another key objective of the forum required athletes to come up with individual National AC calendars with corresponding action plans to their implement calendars.

“The information and reporting from the forum will enable athlete representatives to draft their individual AC action plans, which will be used to develop work plans.”

The Guam National Olympic Committee hosted the pilot Sub-Regional Micronesian Athletes’ Forum, attended by NOC athlete representatives from the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru and Palau attending.