"VAN" (Sports Desk - 01.05.2026) :: hirty-one Athlete Role Models have been named for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, where they will mentor and inspire young athletes in Senegal this autumn. Pau Gasol Sáez leads first global call 🗣️ IOC Athletes’ Commission Chair Pau Gasol Sáez led his first global call with nearly 250 athlete representatives, sharing updates on upcoming support programmes and the Fit for the Future consultation. How OBS commentary programme is creating new careers 🎙️ At Milano Cortina 2026, 12 athletes swapped competition for the commentary booth with the OBS Olympic Commentary Training Programme – hear about their experiences below! Mariana Pajón on building a legacy beyond BMX 💪 Two-time Olympic champion Mariana Pajón is using her platform to inspire children and support Colombian athletes, and is now bringing her passion to the IOC Athletes’ Commission. Cheick Sallah Cissé: turning my success into opportunities for others 🥋 Olympic taekwondo champion Cheick Sallah Cissé says sport transformed his life, and now he’s determined to pass on that hope to others through his foundation and new role on the IOC Athletes’ Commission. Hamish Kerr Is Jumping for the Planet in 2026 🌍 Olympic high jump champion Hamish Kerr is turning every leap into climate action this season, donating NZD 1 for every centimetre he clears in 2026. New policy confirmed for Female (Women’s) Category ℹ️ The IOC has announced a new policy on the Protection of the Female (Women’s) Category in Olympic Sport, approved by the Executive Board and set to apply from the LA28 Olympic Games onwards. Olufunke Oshonaike: I want to make life after sport more fulfilling 🫶 Seven-time Olympian Olufunke Oshonaike reflects on her journey from Atlanta 1996 to Tokyo 2020 and her new role on the IOC Athletes’ Commission, including how she plans to help athletes navigate life after sport.
On Fri, May 1, 2026