The IOC Executive Board has approved 11 athletes as candidates for its Athletes' Commission, including figure skater Han Cong, who hails from the Chinese mainland. This move puts the Olympic gold medalist at the heart of next season's governance discussions.
Earlier this month, Han and his Olympic partner Sui Wenjing announced their return to competition after a hiatus since their golden performance at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games. As they prep for Milano Cortina 2026, Han will also be campaigning for one of two seats reserved for athletes on the commission.
The candidate pool—comprising eight men and three women across five sports and 11 National Olympic Committees—will compete for two available eight-year terms. All athletes at Milano Cortina 2026 will vote from January 30 to February 18, with results set to be revealed on February 19.
The election's design ensures the two winners secure broad support, requiring votes from at least two different sports. They will succeed Emma Terho (Ice Hockey, Finland) and Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen (Cross-Country Skiing, Norway), whose terms conclude during the Games. Once onboard, the commission will appoint a new chair and two vice chairs.
Han Cong’s dual role as contender on the ice and aspirant representative in the IOC AC highlights a growing movement of athletes shaping sports policy. As the world watches the build-up to Milano Cortina, his campaign shines a light on how competitors are stepping off the podium and into leadership to drive real-world impact for peers worldwide.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
