Ten promising athletes, a global stage, and six seats up for grabs. As World Athletics prepares for elections during the upcoming World Championships in Japan, the future of athlete representation lies once again in the hands of those who live it daily—the athletes themselves.
Last Wednesday, candidates officially entered the race for six coveted seats on the World Athletics Athletes’ Commission. The governing body plans to hold the election during the 2025 Tokyo World Championships in September, with voting scheduled from September 8 to 20, coinciding with the event.
All athletes qualified for the 2025 Tokyo World Championships will have the right to vote. Notably, this marks the first time athletes can choose between in-person and online voting—a significant step forward in convenience and flexibility.
The election underscores the growing emphasis on athlete-centric governance, ensuring those competing at the highest level have a direct voice in shaping the sport. With the global spotlight of the World Championships as its backdrop, the vote will not only decide new commission members but also reflect how athletes prioritize representation in their sport’s future.
As candidates begin to outline their visions, attention turns to how this diverse group of athletes will connect with their peers—and whether the expanded voting options will boost participation, making the result a more accurate reflection of the global athletics community.
