The IF Forum 2024, organized by SportAccord, is set to welcome two distinguished groups of future sports leaders at an event taking place from October 21 to 23 at Lausanne’s Olympic Museum. This annual invitation-only event gathers representatives from International Sport Federations (IFs) under the theme “Ensuring Your Federation Is Match Fit and Future-Ready.” The main topics this year include Artificial Intelligence (AI), esports, athlete health, and the growing challenge of physical inactivity.
Aimed at providing sports managers and leaders with the necessary tools to face the complexities of the ever-evolving industry, the forum will feature specialized sessions addressing the opportunities and challenges that the sports world currently faces. Participants, all key decision-makers within their respective federations, are expected to gain valuable insights on innovation and adaptability to stay at the forefront of global trends.
Among the attendees will be a significant delegation from the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) Women Lead Sports program, as well as students from the renowned Master’s program of the Academy of Sport Science and Technology (AISTS). With more than 40 representatives, these future leaders will be at the center of discussions about the present and future of international sports, exchanging ideas with other delegates and learning from top experts.
Preparing for the future of sports
SportAccord Managing Director Martin Gibbs emphasized the importance of including the next generation in these discussions. “We live in a rapidly changing environment, so it makes sense for future sports leaders to be part of these conversations,” Gibbs said. Throughout the event, participants from the ASOIF and AISTS programs will have the opportunity to engage with over 300 attendees, including representatives from International Federations and other influential sports leaders.
The ASOIF Women Lead Sports program, taking place from October 20 to 21, aims to train more than 20 potential female leaders, preparing them for elective positions in international federations, continental associations, and national federations. This effort is intended to increase female representation within the Olympic Movement. After the workshop, participants will join the IF Forum, where they will interact with the world’s most influential sports leaders.
AISTS will also play a prominent role at the forum, contributing its expertise on Artificial Intelligence applied to sports. The AISTS education program is designed to address the specific needs of the sports sector through AI, combining theory and real-world case studies.
