ASPC Update February 2020 | Page 18

Athlete365 on the road In 2019, this “Athlete365 Roadshow” popped up at 12 events spread across the world. These included the European Games in Minsk (Belarus); the Pan- American Games in Lima (Peru); the African Games in Rabat (Morocco); the Pacific Games in Samoa; and the World Beach Games in Doha (Qatar). Athlete365: A global athlete community In the lead-up to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, there has been increased engagement with athletes at a number of elite sporting events across the world through Athlete365, the Olympic Movement athlete community led by the IOC Athletes’ Commission, to help support athletes on and off the field. Athlete365 representatives are attending continental sports events, world championships and Olympic qualifiers to foster relationships with athletes at an earlier stage through in-person contact, and to relay key messages to help them prepare for Tokyo 2020, complementing the great work being done by National Olympic Committees and International Federations (IFs). At each competition, a small team of Athlete365 representatives – usually a collaboration between the IOC and IOC Athletes’ Commission and the local, IF or continental Athletes’ Commission – would set up an Athlete365 Space at the event with a number of activities designed to engage with athletes. For example, those who visited the Space could take a picture with the Tokyo 2020 Olympic torch to share on social media; test their knowledge of key Olympic topics through a fun and interactive Athlete365 quiz; and send postcards to friends, family or team- mates back home. Impressive engagement The level of engagement was impressive. Across the 12 events, more than 10,000 athletes joined the Athlete365 community by registering on the website, while 1,500 postcards were sent home to loved ones. In addition, 6,530 athletes and 2,188 entourage members took the Athlete365 quiz, raising their awareness on topics like anti-doping, injury prevention, prevention of harassment and abuse, and the Athletes’ Rights and Responsibilities Declaration. Many high-profile athletes took a picture with the Tokyo 2020 torch, none more popular than American surfer Kelly Slater, who was attending the ISA World Surfing Games in Japan a year out from the sport’s eagerly anticipated Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020. Coming to an event near you! A blueprint has now been created for the future long-term success of this project, which can be measured in terms of increased direct contact with athletes; registration on the Athlete365 platform; social media engagement; and an increased knowledge of and engagement with Athlete365 and its programmes among the global athlete community. One of the new Athlete365 programmes is being delivered with new Worldwide Olympic Partner Airbnb, and is providing direct earning opportunities for athletes through Airbnb Olympic Experiences – underscoring the IOC’s growing support to athletes. To be launched in early 2020, the new category will allow athletes to create unique “experiences” based on their expertise and interests and get paid to share this with others. As Tokyo 2020 draws closer, the IOC and Athlete365 are continuing to build a global community of athletes and athlete representatives who are engaged and feel able to shape the future of their sport. Look out for Athlete365 at an event near you in 2020! For more information, go to olympic.org/athlete365