Members of the Palau Olympians & Athletes' Commission at the forum ©ONOC

The Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) are in the midst of a six-day pilot Athletes' Commission (AC) forum, where discussions revolve around the empowerment of athletes in the Micronesian sub-region.

It is being hosted by the Guam National Olympic Committee (GNOC).

Ricardo Blas, the secretary general of ONOC, expressed how they will use sport as a platform to increase opportunities for athletes. 

"The Forum will look at identifying the roles of athlete representatives and the Athletes' Commission as key structures within the Olympic Movement," said Blas.

"Micronesia as a region faces a unique set of challenges, which include climate change, natural disasters, rising youth populations, gender inequality, and geographical isolation.

Ricardo Blas is looking to improve access to opportunities for Micronesian athletes ©ONOC
Ricardo Blas is looking to improve access to opportunities for Micronesian athletes ©ONOC

"While these challenges make it difficult for countries and NOCs [National Olympic Committees] to work in sport, the Olympic Movement offers pathways and priority areas for athletes to bring attention to the challenges.

"Additionally, the forum will look at the various funding opportunities available for athletes, AC programmes, and AC priority areas.

"These opportunities for athletes start at the international level and trickle down to the continental level and down to the national level."

The ONOC will also allow the Athletes' Commission to make calendars that allow them to develop action plans.

The forum began on March 12 and is set to conclude on March 17, with representatives from Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru and Palau attending.