Wrestling’s Athlete Commission Reviews World Championships, Upcoming Developments

By Tim Foley

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY (October 20) -- Members of the United World Wrestling Athlete Commission met last week to review the 2015 World Championships and discuss proposed improvements by the international governing body.

“We had a constructive meeting and lent our voice to the process,” said Carol Huynh, chair of the United World Wrestling Athlete’s Commission. “We want to become more visible presence at major competitions so that athletes know who we are and that their opinions matter to us.”

 

The athlete’s commission focused their feedback on providing recommendation on how to improve the athlete experience at the world championships. Earlier in the week Huynh attended the IOC Athlete’s Forum in Lausanne, hosted by the IOC Athlete’s Commission where President Thomas Bach led discussions of the IOC’s role in creating improved athlete services. She brought those lessons forward to the meeting in Vevey.

“We had several specific areas of progress, and proposed and athlete-centric competition checklist,” said Huynh. “That list we believe could help with selection of host cities and ultimately help athletes focus on performing.”

Tony Estanguet, member of the IOC’s Athlete Commission also traveled to Vevey later in the week to present the IOC’s plan for athlete advocacy. Huynh believes the IOC involvement came as United World Wrestling and president Nenad Lalovic’s continue to show advocacy for athlete’s needs.

In addition to meetings and feedback on the world championships athletes also provided feedback on a range of proposals currently churning their way through the organization, including progress on the new competition uniform and expansion of grassroots focused developmental programs.