Vientiane, Laos, February 14, 2023: Athlete365 – the IOC’s media platform for athletes to engage with the Olympic sports movement every day of the year – has turned the spotlight on the work of the Lao Athletes’ Commission.
Under a title of “Raising awareness of a new athletes’ commission in Laos”, Athlete365 reports on the activities of the recently established Lao Athletes’ Commission under the National Olympic Committee of Laos.
With the support of the USD 10,000 NOC Athletes’ Committee (AC) Activity Grant, funded by Olympic Solidarity, the NOC of Laos created its AC in July 2022, Athlete 365 reports.
Its aim is to support and represent athletes across all sports and at all levels, from the young through to the elite and those planning for their retirement.
To increase engagement with its athletes, the Lao AC also used the grant to hold an awareness booth at the national sports championships in December 2022 where hundreds of athletes from across the country attended.
The awareness booth was an opportunity for the Lao AC to not only explain its role and mission but to encourage athletes to speak up about the issues that matter to them and the areas they’d like more help with. The AC could then pass on the feedback received from the athletes to their NOC to discuss appropriate future action to take.
“Athletes need to know about their AC so that if they have a problem with their sport they know how and where to talk to us. Then we can act on their feedback,” said Silina Phaaphay, a member of the Lao AC.
“The awareness booth meant we could deepen the connection we have with our athletes, and this in turn will improve our ability to offer the support they need,” added Lodkeo Inthakouman, another Lao AC member.
As well as gathering feedback over the four-day championships, athletes could also take part in a sports quiz which included giveaways. Prize winners received T-shirts, caps and pens promoting the AC.
In total, more than 650 athletes from Laos visited the Lao AC’s awareness booth, and shared their contact details with the AC so that they would receive future updates and information from the AC.
The new AC is also committed to attending major sporting events throughout the country moving forwards and encouraged athletes to approach its members in person whenever possible.
The article was published on January 26, 2023
