Kenyan-born Romanian vying for top World Athletics seat
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Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 21.07.25. | 18:00
Chelimo is a board member for Tirop’s Angels, an organization formed by athletes following the 2021 killing of Kenyan distance runner and former world record holder Agnes Tirop
Kenyan-born Romanian, Joan Chelimo, is one of the ten candidates announced for the six available seats on the World Athletics Athletes’ Commission ahead of the elections at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in September.
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The national half marathon record holder says she aspires to join the Commission to be an authentic voice for athletes, especially young girls who face unique challenges in sport.
"I am driven by a passion for gender equality, the prevention of gender-based violence (GBV), and the creation of safe, inclusive environments. As a professional athlete, I bring firsthand experience and a deep understanding of athletes' needs and aspirations," she says on her profile, accompanying the announcement.
Chelimo is a board member for Tirop’s Angels, an organization formed by athletes following the 2021 killing of Kenyan distance runner and former world record holder Agnes Tirop, allegedly by her husband, Ibrahim Rotich.
The organisation aims to combat GBV in Africa and around the world. Among its objectives are empowering women and girls at risk of violence, expanding services available to survivors, intensifying efforts to turn policy pledges into reality, and engaging men and boys in prevention efforts.
"With resilience and purpose, I advocate for their rights and well-being. Through mentorship, representation, and collaboration, I aim to help shape a more just and empowering future for athletics worldwide," she continues.
The 2024 Paris half marathon winner, named by BBC as one of the Top 100 Women of the Year 2024 says as a Kenyan-born, now Romanian citizen, she brings strong multicultural knowledge and insight into the challenges athletes face across different systems.
All athletes accredited for the World Championships in Tokyo will have the right to vote in the elections, which will take place before and during competition time, from Friday, 8 toWednesday, 20 September.
This year’s elections introduce an innovation in how voting will take place. For the first time, athletes can vote either in person or online. In addition, the extended voting period aims to give athletes who arrive later or depart earlier maximum opportunity to cast their votes.
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