Pau Gasol

A global sports leader, two-time NBA champion and three-time Olympic medallist, Pau Gasol is one of the most influential athletes of all time. A six-time NBA All-Star, he won the 2006 FIBA World Cup and three EuroBasket titles, and represented Spain at five Olympic Games.

He currently chairs the International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission, serves on the IOC Executive Board and is an IOC Member. In these roles, he represents the voice of athletes at the highest level of Olympic governance and helps shape the strategy and future of the Olympic Movement, promoting integrity, education, holistic well-being and a more inclusive, sustainable and athlete-centred sports system.

Beyond the court, he is a philanthropist, entrepreneur and advocate for social change. Together with his brother Marc, he co-founded the Gasol Foundation, which works to prevent childhood obesity and promote healthy lifestyles. Through Gasol16 Ventures, he supports and invests in innovative projects across sport, health and well-being. He also serves as UNICEF Global Champion for Nutrition and Childhood Obesity, using his international platform to advocate for children’s health, nutrition and equal opportunities.

In 2023, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Los Angeles Lakers retired his No. 16 jersey, making him the first international player in franchise history to receive the honour. He was subsequently inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2025. His journey reflects the power of athletes to inspire, unite and transform both sport and society.