Formed in September 2005, and reporting directly to the ISAF Executive Committee, the Athletes' Commission represents the interests of the sailors in the Olympic Classes.

The Athletes' Commission composed of athletes representing each Olympic event, elected by the athletes themselves. The Athletes' Commission holds at least one meeting each year and meets with the ISAF Executive Committee, to which the Athletes Commission makes recommendations.

2009 Elections

ISAF is now inviting athletes to vote in the 2009 Athletes' Commission elections. The voting is open from 15-22 June 2009.

I. Eligibility

To be eligible to serve on the ISAF Athletes Commission, athletes must have participated in the Olympic Games or be 'actively campaigning for the Olympics'. Athletes must also be classified as an ISAF Sailor, be a member in good standing of the class association of their event and of their Member National Authority (MNA) and hold an ISAF World Ranking.

The athletes elected will serve a four-year term to align with the Olympic quadrennial. An athlete may serve as the ISAF Athletes' Commission representative for a maximum of two terms. Athletes nominated cannot be an officer or paid employee of their MNA and/or Class Association and simultaneously serve on the ISAF Athletes' Commission.

II. Nominations

Any ISAF Sailor may propose a candidate from their Olympic event. Athletes may also nominate themselves. Only athletes ranked on the ISAF World Rankings may nominate an athlete for their event or nominate themselves. All nominations must be accepted by the nominee and seconded prior to the actual voting. Nominees who do not accept their nomination or fail to gain a seconder shall not be included on the final ballot for voting.

All nominations must be completed and summitted to ISAF via the Athletes' Commission Nomination Form. The nomination deadline passed on Sunday 31 May 2009.

Voting

Voting will take place online via the ISAF website from 15-22 June 2009. Only athletes who are 'actively campaigning for the Olympics' and ranked on the ISAF World Rankings will be entitled to vote for candidates in the Olympic event in which they are campaigning. The voting methods and voting timeframes will be clearly published by ISAF.

ISAF encourages all athletes to consider putting themselves or others forwards for this important role.

The ISAF Athletes' Commission is there to support the interests of Olympic Sailors.

About The ISAF Athletes' Commission

Role

Terms of Reference

The Athletes’ Commission shall:

• be a non-political consultative body to offer advice and assistance to ISAF on matters and issues of relevance to athletes and act as a link between the Olympic athletes and ISAF;
• present the Olympic athletes’ points of view to the Executive Committee through recommendations and proposals;
• promote respect of the rights of the athletes within the sport and draw up recommendations to that effect;
• promote high standards of sportsmanship and ethical performance when competing and participating;
• reflect the views of the Olympic athletes competing and participating at the highest level and establish relationships to promote feedback to the Executive Committee on matters concerning Olympic athletes; and
• liaise with the Executive Committee on ISAF Events to help ISAF respond to the needs of the Olympic athletes.

Commission Members

Click here to view the current members of the Athletes' Commission.

ISAF organizes one meeting each year, which is held at the ISAF Secretariat, usually in late September or early October. ISAF covers travel, accommodation and sustenance for this meeting, which is usually held over two days during a weekend. Other meetings are co-ordinated by the Athletes' Commission at ISAF Graded events.

The members of the Athletes' Commission are expected to represent the interests of Olympic sailors to ISAF, and to encourage open communication and feedback from the sailors.</

Past Elections

Click on the links below for details of previous elections.