The ISA Athletes’ Commission (AC), including the four new members who were recently elected during the 2022 ISA World Surfing Games, held its first in-person meeting in Biarritz, France last weekend.
One of the key responsibilities of the new AC was to elect the Chair from amongst its members. Justine Dupont (FRA) was unanimously re-confirmed as the AC Chair.
In addition to Dupont, the AC members in attendance included Afridun Amu (AFG), Leilani McGonagle (CRC), Leandro Usuna (ARG) and Natasha Van Greunen (RSA). Ex-officio Member and ISA Vice President, Barbra Kendall, ISA Executive Director, Robert Fasulo, and ISA Director of Sport and Athlete Relations, Megan Burns, were also in attendance.
The meeting included a presentation from the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC)
Senior Athlete and Olympian Relations Manager, Karen Dolphin, on the IOC’s strategy for building an effective athletes’ commission. Dolphin also facilitated the ISA AC’s discussion on their own strategy, goals and next steps in their work.
Other key subjects address by the ISA AC included Paris 2024 Olympic qualification and athlete services, 2023 Pan Am Games qualification, World Beach Games qualification, Olympic Solidarity programs, ISA Medical Commission work related to athletes and various other issues of interest around the ISA and ISA Events.
In addressing the AC, the ISA President, Fernando Aguerre, said:
“I am very proud of all of you and very excited about what we are doing at the ISA to support our athletes. This is a far, far road from the ISA I encountered when I was first elected. It’s really a pleasure to see how far we have come, now with athletes being elected as part of the Commission. This is a very important step for us. You represent the athletes around the world and help drive the ISA towards a better world and future, through surfing.”
AC Chair, Justine Dupont said:
“I am super stoked to have the confidence and trust of my colleagues in the Athletes’ Commission and to continue to serve the sport I love. This is an amazing time for surfing with all the Olympic opportunities and exciting events ahead. I am very happy to support the athletes’ voice and role in the ISA worldwide.”
