Punta Cana.- Three days of activities, more than 18 hours of presentations, 25 exhibitors and 130 attendees, are some of the numbers of the III Panam Sports Athletes Forum that took place this week in Punta Cana.
Numbers that translate into new knowledge and help chart a clear path for all Athletes’ Commissions on the continent.
Currently, of the 41 member countries, 38 have Athletes’ Commissions, and the rest are in the process of forming their representatives.
An encouraging number that leads the Panam Sports Athletes Commission to continue working to achieve all NOCs on the continent with representation of athletes on their Boards.
That is why it is important that these forums are held and that professionals from various areas of interest can transmit their experiences and help the development of these commissions.
“The balance is extremely positive. We are very happy with everything that was experienced during these 3 days and we hope that all the athletes transmit everything they learned in their respective countries. The sport of the Americas is growing, and the work of the Athletes Commissions is becoming fundamental in this development,” said the president of Panam Sports Neven Ilic.
“As Panam Sports we know the importance of all American Olympic Committees having an active Athletes Commission that contributes to the decisions of sports leaders. My message to all athletes is to continue working and that their voices continue to be heard strongly throughout the continent,” added Ilic.
A similar opinion was held by the president of the Athletes Commission Isabel Swan, who received important feedback from the athletes after holding this forum.
“The athletes of the Americas are undergoing a very great evolution in regards to their Commissions. We had very beneficial days, each of the presentations impacted our athletes and I know that they take away a great experience so that they can share in their countries. “I am very happy as President, we are on the right path, and I know that soon we will have all the Panam Sports National Olympic Committees with active Athlete Commissions in our continent.” said the president of the Panam Sports Athletes Commission and Olympic medalist Isabel Swan.
Among the topics discussed in this forum were sustainability, safe sport, mental health, personal branding, post-career, anti-doping, marketing and communications, and stories of life experiences, as was the case of the double Olympic medalist from Colombia , Mariana Pajón who thrilled the entire audience with her presentation, “The Road to Gold has 3 steps: Dream-Work-Enjoy.”
“I’m surprised. I never thought that my presentation would move so many athletes. I always do it to big businessmen in Colombia, and this was the first time I addressed my peers, the athletes of the continent. “I am very grateful for the opportunity that Panam Sports gave me to transmit my life experience in this Forum.” Mariana Pajón, Double BMX Gold Medalist in the Olympic Games.
The III Continental Athletes Forum was broadcast live to the entire world through the Panam Sports Channel and in the coming days it will be available as VOD for all those who could not see this great event.
