The Estonian biathlete Johanna Talihärm, with four Olympic appearances in her career (Sochi 2014, PyeongChang 2018, Beijing 2022 and Milan Cortina 2026), has taken a decisive step beyond the biathlon tracks: she has been elected as a member of the International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission (IOC). Although she never reached the Olympic podium, her consistency is reflected in the 226 starts she has accumulated in the Biathlon World Cup. Talihärm emphasizes that, as an “average” athlete—more focused on daily effort than fame—she uniquely understands the challenges faced by most of her peers. This authentic perspective is what she now brings into the IOC.

Talihärm herself admitted feeling “very excited” to take on this new role. After overcoming the initial disbelief at her election, she thanked “all the athletes for their trust” and promised “to be their voice and represent them well.” Aware of the great responsibility this entails, the biathlete says she will do everything possible to bring the athlete’s perspective to the heart of Olympic decision-making, convinced that the Olympic Movement is at its best when athletes are at the center of decisions.

Sporting career and personal growth

Since emerging on the international scene in 2012, Talihärm has been the leading figure of Estonian biathlon over the past decade. In addition to her four Olympic Games, she competed in six World Championships (2013–2015 and 2017–2021) and was regularly part of Estonia’s relay teams. Despite not reaching the podium in these competitions, her perseverance on the tracks has given her experience: she has competed in more than 200 World Cup races, a clear indicator of her consistent presence at the elite level. This journey of “daily sacrifice” defines her as an athlete: she describes herself not as a superstar, but as a common competitor who understands the challenges faced by those who train hard without major media spotlight.

Alongside her sporting career, Talihärm expanded her academic and personal development. She studied Business Administration at Montana State University (USA), which provided her with a global perspective and organizational skills useful beyond sport. In addition, since 2023 she has served as a liaison between IOC athletes and the European Olympic Committees (EOC), and in November 2025 she was elected president of the EOC Athletes’ Commission. These leadership roles show that even before joining the IOC, Talihärm was already acting as a voice for her peers, gaining experience in representing athletes’ interests at a continental level.

Commitment to athletes

Talihärm admits that one of the driving forces behind her candidacy was the difficult situations she experienced firsthand during her career. She is aware that many athletes face incidents or arbitrary decisions that could be avoided. For this reason, she stresses the need to design sports systems that include athletes’ opinions: “Well-supported athletes are the best ambassadors of sport,” she says. She aims to ensure that the next generation enjoys a more positive and supported experience than she did, proposing clear communication channels, psychological support, and expert guidance at every stage of their careers.

On the day of her election, Talihärm publicly expressed her gratitude and commitment. She emphasized that placing athletes’ voices at the center of the Olympic agenda is not just a slogan: “The Olympic Movement is at its best when athletes are at the heart of decision-making,” she stated. This idea already guides her roadmap as a commission member: Talihärm insists that beyond results and medals, every federation and committee must support their athletes with transparent information, safe channels to express concerns, and resources to protect their physical and emotional well-being. In her view, elite sport must be built with athletes as protagonists, and she is determined to put her own voice at the service of that vision.