Following a successful edition of the IF Forum at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, SportAccord has taken another step in its institutional growth by appointing Kelly Fairweather as its new Managing Director. The organisation’s Executive Committee also reviewed preparations for the upcoming SportAccord Convention 2026, to be held in Baku.
With an extensive career across the Olympic Movement and international federations, Fairweather brings a wealth of experience from leadership roles at the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF). His appointment strengthens SportAccord’s position as a key player in global sport, as the organisation continues to modernise and expand its operations.
Fairweather aims to raise the bar
SportAccord President Uğur Erdener welcomed Fairweather to the organisation, highlighting his deep understanding of the global sports landscape. “SportAccord is delighted to have appointed Kelly Fairweather as Managing Director. Kelly brings decades of experience in working with International Federations, which are responsible for shaping the future of their sports. With Kelly, the Executive Committee is confident that we have appointed someone who truly understands our stakeholders and can effectively lead the SportAccord executive team in delivering world-class events.”
For his part, Fairweather underlined the importance of SportAccord’s role as a meeting point for the international sports community. “Throughout my career, whether at the IOC or in International Federations, one thing has remained constant: the SportAccord Convention and IF Forums have always been great places to learn from colleagues, share best practices, and help shape the future of sport,” he said. “My goal now is to take these gatherings to the next level together with the Executive Committee and our institutional partners.”
Baku 2026 as a strategic milestone
During the Executive Committee meeting, members reviewed the progress report on preparations for the SportAccord Convention 2026, which will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 24 to 28 May 2026. The event is expected to gather more than 120 International Federations and around 1,700 delegates from across the world, consolidating its status as one of the most significant platforms for international sport.
According to the update, SportAccord and the local organisers are advancing rapidly in key operational areas such as accommodation, exhibition layout and delegate packages. The convention will also provide new collaboration opportunities for host cities, commercial partners and members of the Olympic ecosystem, with a focus on innovation and sustainability.
Governance and transformative alliances
President Erdener also expressed his appreciation to Nathalie Clerc, SportAccord’s Chief of Staff, for her role in securing Baku 2026 as the next host city and for her leadership in delivering a highly successful IF Forum. The 2025 edition brought together more than 500 sports leaders, academics and partners under the theme “New Global Reality in Sport: IFs in a world that refuses to stand still.”
The Executive Committee highlighted that Kelly Fairweather’s appointment marks a new phase in SportAccord’s long-term strategy, focused on strengthening governance, consolidating its role as the leading platform for International Federations, and promoting cooperation across the global sports community. The coming months will see the implementation of this roadmap and continued preparations for Baku 2026, which is set to become a key meeting point for federations, institutions and partners within the Olympic Movement.
