World Athletics Will Expand Nominations Panel Members
The governing body will add two new independent members to its recruitment panel by December 2026.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Running
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World Athletics is recruiting two new independent members to join its Nominations Panel ahead of the 2027 World Athletics Election Congress. The appointments, which will be finalized by the World Athletics Council in December 2026, will bring the total panel size to seven members.
Why it matters
Expanding the panel ensures additional capacity and expertise to assess candidates for leadership positions within the global track and field governing body. These voluntary, remote-based roles are critical for maintaining the integrity of international athletics governance.
World Athletics is expanding its Nominations Panel from five members to seven, with two independent spots currently open for recruitment. The panel, which has operated since 2019, handles candidate assessment for various governing bodies through remote-based, voluntary service.
The players
World Athletics
The international governing body for the sport of athletics, responsible for setting rules, managing competitions, and overseeing global track and field standards.
World Athletics Council
The executive body of the international federation, tasked with making high-level decisions and final appointments for organizational panels.
The details
The Nominations Panel is responsible for the identification, recruitment, and assessment of individuals seeking roles within World Athletics. To apply, candidates must submit a CV, a covering letter, their contact details, and provide three referees for review. Once appointed, members will serve terms that conclude following the 2029 World Athletics Congress.
Timeline
Applications for the Nominations Panel must be submitted by 4 November 2026.
The World Athletics Council will appoint the new members in December 2026.
The expanded panel will support the World Athletics Election Congress in 2027.
Appointed members will serve terms concluding after the 2029 World Athletics Congress.
Health Landscape
This recruitment initiative reflects the ongoing evolution of sports administration and leadership assessment frameworks. It aligns with the organizational structures established under the 2019 World Athletics governance reforms to ensure independent oversight.
While these administrative roles do not directly impact individual athletic performance, they help shape the governance of the sport that millions of runners follow worldwide. Interested professionals with expertise in sports integrity or organizational management may consider reviewing the submission requirements.
The takeaway
Maintaining independent oversight is a pillar of transparent sports governance. Runners and stakeholders can follow the results of the 2027 World Athletics Election Congress to see how these panel changes influence the organization's future direction.
What happens next
The application window for these volunteer positions closes on 4 November 2026, followed by the appointment of the new members by the World Athletics Council in December 2026.
Further reading
For broader trends in organizational leadership and governance, visit our Running section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Worldathletics.
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