Athletes' Committee

What is the ICF Athletes' Committee? 

The Athletes' Committee is a group of eight athletes who come from a range of paddle sports disciplines under the ICF umbrella. They are tasked with representing the interests of their fellow athletes at ICF meetings and in discussions about the future direction of paddle sports.  

These athletes set an example to younger athletes showing professional conduct within the sport. They act as ambassadors within the ICF athlete support programmes on topics such as mental health and wellbeing, prevention of harassment in sport, anti-doping in sport and prevention of competition manipulation. 

These athletes are also ambassadors for the sport of canoeing outside of the ICF in the broader sports world. These athletes nominate to be part of multi-sport athletes’ committees or Boards in national and international sport, such as National Anti-Doping Committees (NADO), World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), National Olympic Committee (NOC), International Olympic Committee (IOC), and international multi-sport organisations such as The World Games or regional Games. 

What are the goals of the ICF Athletes’ Committee? 

• Establish and maintain two-way communication with the athletes in our community at all levels of the sport 
• Represent the athletes, be their voice within the ICF and work for the benefit of all athletes 
• Promote the professionalism of paddle sports worldwide, leading by example as involved, active and dynamic athletes 
• Promote the involvement of athletes into international sports leadership development programmes 
• Promote our athletes for recognition in international and national sports awards to increase the profile of our sport and people 

How does the ICF Athletes’ Committee work? 

The Athletes’ Committee holds regular meetings with all its members to discuss important canoeing and athlete-related issues. The Athletes’ Committee is the voice of the athletes on all discussions within the ICF’s decision-making bodies. 

What are the commitments for an ICF Athletes’ Committee member? 

Athletes should be able to commit to regular meetings, with one of those meetings being an in-person meeting (most often connected with another event such as a World Championships, Congress or Paddle Summit). The in-person meeting is funded by the ICF. Athletes should have available a few hours per month to read documents and assist with any follow up between meetings. Nominees are also requested to have the availability to be part of at least one other programme or multi-sport committee. Athletes should be willing to talk to other athletes at competitions and act as a role model. 

When are the ICF Athletes’ Committee elections held? 

In the year following the Olympic and Paralympic Games, elections take place for all positions on the Athletes’ Committee. Elections will take place during the World Championships for Canoe Sprint, Paracanoe and Canoe Slalom, with the Athletes’ Committee providing a recommendation to the Board of Directors for the remaining two members from non-Olympic disciplines. The Athletes’ Committee, made up of eight elected members, then elects its own Chair, who has a place on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors, where they share the work and perspective of their Athletes’ Committee.  

How is the ICF Athletes' Committee composed? 

According to the ICF Statutes, there are currently eight members on the Athletes’ Committee. There are two Canoe Slalom athletes, two Canoe Sprint athletes, two Paracanoe athletes, and two non-Olympic discipline representatives. The Athletes’ Committee also has involvement with the respective Standing Committee of each canoeing discipline. All athletes represent the best interests of athletes across all ICF disciplines, regardless of the discipline they were elected within.  

What are the minimum requirements for nomination to the ICF Athletes’ Committee? 

• Athletes must be at least 18 years of age at the time of the close of nominations 
• Athletes must be nominated by their National Federation 
• Athletes must have competed previously at a World Cup, World Championships or Olympic Games / Paralympic Games / The World Games 

Who is currently on the ICF Athletes' Committee?

View the current list of Athletes' Committee members

What is the history of the ICF Athletes’ Committee? 

The ICF Athletes’ Committee was first formed in 2007. Here’s a list of past Chair: 

• Belen Sanchez Jimenez (ESP) 2007 - 2010 
• Pierpaolo Ferrazzi (ITA) 2010 - 2012 
• Filipe Pereira (POR) 2012 - 2014 
• Anders Gustafsson (SWE) 2014 - 2016 
• Henriette Engel Hansen (DEN) 2017 
• Tim Lodge (GBR) 2018 - 2021 
• Bridgitte Hartley (RSA) 2022 - present