Abhinav Bindra Concludes Eight-Year Role with IOC Athletes Commission

Abhinav Bindra Steps Down from IOC Role

On Monday, renowned Indian shooter Abhinav Bindra announced his departure from the position of vice chair of the International Olympic Committee's athletes commission, a role he held for eight years. He reflected on this period as one of the most significant in his athletic career.

At 43, Bindra, who made history as India's first individual Olympic gold medalist during the 2008 Beijing Games, will be succeeded by Kenyan rugby player Humphrey Kayange. This transition occurred amid the ongoing Winter Olympics in Italy.

Bindra expressed that representing athletes globally has been a pivotal part of his sports journey. He emphasized the importance of being a voice for their concerns, aspirations, and dreams, a responsibility he approached with utmost seriousness.

In a post on 'X', he stated, "Every discussion, every decision, every moment at the table was driven by the belief that athletes should always be at the heart of the Olympic Movement."

He praised his fellow commission members as remarkable individuals who worked tirelessly to enhance athlete representation and ensure their voices are acknowledged and valued.

As he steps away from this role, Bindra conveyed a sense of pride in their collective achievements and optimism for the future. He believes that the future of athlete representation is promising, fueled by dedicated and passionate individuals committed to a cause greater than themselves.

The IOC Athletes' Commission, consisting of 19 members, engages in various activities, including evaluating candidate cities for the Olympics, overseeing the organization of the Games, combating doping, and developing training and educational initiatives for women.