The EOC Athletes’ Commission Chair Gerd Kanter,  EOC Athletes’ Commission Member Viktor Knoch and IOC Athletes’ Commission (AC), Chair Emma Terho met with Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission, and Commissioner for ‘Promoting our European Way of Life’ on 10 March.

Accompained by EOC President and IOC Member Spyros Capralos, EOC Secretary General Raffaele Pagnozzi, EOC EU Office Director Folker Hellmund and IOC Athletes’ Department Director Kaveh Mehrabi, they discussed, on behalf of European athletes, the priorities of European sport in the years ahead.

Kanter and Tehro presented to the Commissioner the athletes' contribution to the Conference on the Future of Europe. The document includes recommendations on the future of sport in Europe regarding, in particular, the European Sport Model, athlete representation within sports organisations, support for athletes, and funding for sport in Europe.

The proposals put forward by the EOC and IOC athletes’ representatives were developed in consultation with Athletes’ Commissions across Europe.

EOC Athletes’ Commission Chair Gerd Kanter said, “In such difficult times, sport provides hope, brings unity, and contributes to a better and brighter future. We, as democratically elected athletes, were honoured to be able to present clear recommendations to the Conference on the Future of Europe.”

IOC Athletes’ Commission Chair Emma Terho commented, “It is very important for us to hear the thoughts of athletes across Europe and have the opportunity to reflect their feedback in the form of concrete recommendations that the European Commission will look at incorporating into its future policies"

Further discussion on the presented recommendations will build upon the outcomes of Thursday's meeting. To this end, the EOC and IOC will organise a follow-up meeting with representatives of Athletes’ Commissions across Europe.