International Federations, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Olympic and Paralympic Games organising committees, host cities, athletes and industry leaders came together at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne from 5 to 7 October for the SportAccord Forum 2026.
Held under the theme When the Playbook Changes: Leading Sport in a New Reality, the Forum explored how international sport is responding to changing expectations, emerging technologies, new commercial models and the challenge of growing participation.
Across three days, discussions reinforced the value of bringing International Federations together with the wider sport community to exchange perspectives, challenge assumptions and address shared priorities.
Fit for the Future: An open exchange
IOC President Kirsty Coventry set the tone by encouraging open dialogue as the Olympic Movement moves forward with its Fit for the Future strategic direction.
That invitation was reflected in an interactive session with IOC Executive Director Christophe Dubi and Sports Director Pierre Ducrey, who took questions directly from International Federations on the Olympic programme, Games delivery, IF visibility and their evolving role within the Olympic Movement.
The exchange provided an opportunity for federations to engage directly with IOC leadership on decisions affecting their sports and the Olympic Games.
The Games ahead
Representatives from LA28, French Alps 2030 and Brisbane 2032 outlined preparations for the next three editions of the Olympic Games, from venue planning and delivery models to the athlete experience.
Their presentations highlighted the importance of early engagement with International Federations in planning and delivering the Games, alongside evolving approaches to sustainability, efficiency and legacy.
Data, AI and new sporting models
The growing influence of artificial intelligence was a key topic, with Professor Andy Miah and Sanjit Atwal encouraging federations to strengthen their data management and internal capabilities before investing in new technologies.
“AI is not your strategy,” Atwal told delegates, emphasising the importance of understanding how AI is already being used, protecting valuable data and equipping staff with the right skills.
The relationship between established governance structures and emerging commercial formats was another focus.
HYROX co-founder and Olympic champion Moritz Fürste joined World Triathlon Secretary General Jon Wyatt to discuss their organisations’ partnership. Their exchange explored how the reach and commercial appeal of a fast-growing format can be combined with the governance, safeguarding and expertise of an International Federation.
Beyond competition: Different paths for athletes
Olympic champions Pau Gasol and Moritz Fürste came together to share their contrasting journeys beyond elite sport, illustrating the different opportunities available to athletes after their competitive careers.
While Gasol has taken on a leadership role in athlete representation within the Olympic Movement, Fürste has moved into entrepreneurship as co-founder of HYROX.
Their discussion highlighted how the experience, skills and perspectives developed through sport can translate into very different careers beyond competition.
Cities, hosting and lasting value
The inaugural SportAccord City Forum brought cities, regions, International Federations and industry partners together to examine how hosting relationships can create value beyond the event itself.
Discussions explored changing expectations among host destinations, the importance of agreeing shared objectives early and the benefits of developing long-term relationships between rights holders and hosts.
The City Forum also provided the occasion to announce Cape Town, South Africa, as host of the 2028 SportAccord Convention, marking an important milestone in SportAccord’s future event programme.
Climate resilience also featured, with Marsh highlighting the increasing impact of extreme weather on sporting events and the importance of incorporating risk management into event planning.
Sport for life
Participation emerged as a common thread throughout the Forum, culminating in a discussion on how sport can reach more people and encourage lifelong involvement.
Representatives from the World Masters Games, WFSGI, World Rugby and the City of Vancouver explored how major events, grassroots initiatives and partnerships with other sectors can help remove barriers to participation.
Their discussions emphasised the need for sport to work more closely with health, education and local government, and to build participation and community benefits into events from the outset.
Continuing the conversation
Closing the Forum, SportAccord CEO Kelly Fairweather identified participation as a shared priority across the sport ecosystem and reaffirmed SportAccord’s commitment to keeping it on the agenda.
The SportAccord Forum demonstrated the importance of direct dialogue between International Federations, the Olympic Movement and the wider sport community, creating opportunities to exchange knowledge, build relationships and address the challenges facing international sport.
The international sport community will next meet at the SportAccord Convention in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 9 to 13 May 2027.
