COMMITTEES & COMMISSIONS

The Adaptive Athletes Commission:

• Ensures compliance of races to Adaptive-athlete accessibility
• Represents Adaptive-athletes and ensures compliance of World Obstacle with IPC standards

Chairman: Mr. Bob Babbitt (USA)

​​Deputy Chair: Ms. Emilie Thibeault-Rivard, PT MSc. (PT), BHSc (CAN)

Members: Ms. Misty Diaz (USA), Mr. Ameer Ahid (PHI), Mr. John De Haan (NED), Mr. Al Agra (PHI), Mr. Andrew Reid (GBR)

The Athletes Commission provides representation and development for athletes at every level of the sport. The Athlete Advisory Councils (AACs) represent the Athletes through their delegate, who are elite athlete representatives. The AAC provides opinions and advice on FISO policies that affect the athletes in obstacle sports worldwide.

Chair: Ms. Meagan Martin (Ninja: USA), Ms. Kim Skerman (Adventure, NZL), Leon Kofoed Andersen (OCR)

Members: Ms. Sandi Abahan (PHI), Mr. Adam Egerblom (SWE), Ms. Faye Stenning (CAN)

The Coaches Committees is working group of the Development Commission and is responsible for creating the policies, guidelines and systems for developing coaches worldwide, and to work with the Athletes Commission to implement development programmes for recreational, competitive and elite-level athletes.

Chair: to be announced

Members: to be announced

The Competitions Committee is responsible for policies and guidelines that ensure FISO sanctioned and approved events are of world standard. This includes world series', world cups, world championships and continental championships. 

Advising on, supervising, and directing event operations and production are within the scope of the Competitions Committee. The FISO Event Technical Team provides these functions for World Championships and other high level events.

Chair: Mr. Thumbie Remigio (PHI)

Deputy Chair: Ms. Edit Szabados (HUN)

Members: Ms. Fusako Kasai (JAP), Mr. David Tully (SGP)

The Development Commission is responsible for the enhancement, professionalism, and support of the growth of obstacle sports. Development of obstacle sports starts with kids and grass roots, leading to international level through education and pathways for coaches, officials, and administrators.

The Commission develops and standardizes Coaching and Technical Officiating (Judging) across obstacle sports to ensure the highest standards of athlete development and competition integrity.

Chair: To be announced

Members: (Africa), Mr. Alwyn Cosgrove (USA), Ms. Precious Que Aguilar (PHI), Mr. Mauro Leoni (ITL)

Equality and safety are of paramount importance to the federations and FISO does not tolerate hate speech or actions. Behaviour counter to principles of sport will result in sanctions/exclusion/disqualification of individuals and or organisations.The responsibility of the Diversity Committee is to provide advice and recommendation regarding gender development sensitivity and inclusivity. The Committee is advisory and submits Resolutions for guidelines, policies and sanctions to the Executive Board.

Chair: Dr. Marc Lauenze Celis (PHI)

Deputy Chair: Natasha Mei Ling Chung (GBR)

Members: Sean Rombough (CAN), Sune Blohm (DEN), Timmie Brann (USA)

The Governance Commission is the statutory authority responsible for developing obstacle sports worldwide. It is responsible for assisting member national federations and sporting organisations develop operational and sporting excellence and increase participation. The Governance ensures compliance and assists National Member Federations with recognition by their national sports authority (Ministry for Sport) and National Olympic Committee.

Chair: Mr. Oner Avara (GBR)

Members: Mr. David Lim (SGP)

The Master’s Committee is responsible for creating the policies, guidelines and systems for developing masters athletes worldwide, and to work with the Athletes Commission to implement masters development programmes.

Masters categories start at 40 years of age and include Veterans (60+) and Legends (70+).

Chair: Mr. Eugeniusz Abram (SWE)

Members: Mr. Al Agra (PHI)

Ms. Heather Gonick (USA)

The Medical Commission is responsible for establishing conditions at World Obstacle sanctioned competitions, which ensure the health and safety of all participants. Controls all Anti-doping policies and activities of World Obstacle. Making sure that World Obstacle complies with the WADA code and the IOC and World Obstacle anti-doping rules.

Chairman: Dr. Stuart Weiss (USA)

Members: Dr. Natasha Beach, MB BS (GBR), Dr. Jannelene Killops, MD (RSA), Dr. Wassim Shamsuddin, MB BS (GBR), Dr. Ui May Tan, MB BCh (IRL), Dr. Raquel Llarena, MD (PHI),  Mr. Pierre-Marc Dion (CAN)

The Officials Committee is working group of the Development Commission and is responsible for creating the policies, guidelines and systems for developing officials for obstacle sports events and championships worldwide. This includes developing officials to observe and enforce competition rules during races, and to direct race volunteers and staff on courses.

OCR Chair: Ms. Nayibe Statia (NED)

Ninja Chair : Ms. Jen Miller (USA)

Adventure Chair: Mr. Bruno Rey (FRA)

Members: Ms. Ana Sousa (POR), Ms. Telma Gomes (POR), Mr. Mo Al Balushi (UAE), Mr. Marco Intini (ITL)

The Safe Sport (Safeguarding) Committee assists national federation members with implementing procedures to prevent sexual harassment and abuse in sport. World Obstacle requires adherence to international Safe Sport Policies by all national member federations.

Chair: Dr. Sturat Weiss, MD (USA)

Advisor: Dr Yetsa A. Tuakli-Wosornu (GHA), M.D., M.P.H., IOC Dip. Sp. Med.

The Youth Committee is responsible for creating the policies, guidelines and systems for developing young athletes worldwide, and to work with the Athletes Commission to implement junior and youth development programmes.

Competitive categories under the Youth Committee include Kids, Youth, and Juniors, from 10 to 19 years old.

Chair: Mr. Rod Dixon (NZL)

Members: Ms. Sarah Lim (PHI)