Former NBA star Pau Gasol has stepped into a major leadership role within the International Olympic Committee after becoming the new chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission.
The two-time NBA champion and six-time Olympian said the modern Olympic movement must view athletes not only as competitors, but “as complete human beings” whose well-being, dignity and future should remain central to every major decision.
Gasol emphasized that the biggest priority for the commission is ensuring athletes have a genuine voice in decision-making processes across all aspects of sport, including mental health, gender eligibility, freedom of expression and competitive integrity.
“Decisions taken within sport do not only affect competition or performance,” Gasol said. “They also affect the well-being, dignity and future of those who compete.”
Athlete expression and Olympic neutrality
Gasol also addressed the growing debate surrounding athlete expression and Olympic neutrality rules, referencing the controversial case of Vladyslav Heraskevych during the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
The Ukrainian athlete was barred from competition after refusing to remove a helmet honoring Ukrainian athletes killed during the war with Russia. The IOC ruled the helmet violated Rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter, which bans political demonstrations at Olympic venues.
Gasol argued that Olympic neutrality should not mean silence, but rather creating an environment based on coexistence, dialogue and mutual respect.
“We are not talking about an apolitical movement, but about a neutral one capable of ensuring coexistence across very diverse realities,” he said.
Mental health becomes a major focus
The Spanish basketball icon identified mental health as one of the Olympic movement’s most urgent priorities, particularly during athletes’ transition out of elite competition.
Gasol stressed that athletes often struggle with identity, structure and purpose after retirement and called for stronger long-term support systems beyond competition years.
“It is no longer enough to look at the athlete solely through the lens of performance,” he said.
Programs such as the IOC’s Athlete365 initiative, which offers education and career support, reflect the growing shift toward a more holistic athlete-care model.
LA28 preparations and logistics concerns
Looking ahead to the 2028 Summer Olympics, Gasol highlighted the importance of logistics and athlete experience, warning that transportation, recovery time and accommodation standards can directly affect performance.
He referenced transportation issues at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where several athletes reportedly complained about long journeys and overheated buses, forcing some teams to relocate outside the Olympic Village.
Despite those concerns, Gasol expressed confidence in Los Angeles’ ability to deliver a successful Games thanks to the city’s experience hosting major global events.
“The Olympics must be a unifying force”
Gasol also praised the inclusion of new sports such as flag football, cricket, lacrosse and squash at LA28, saying the additions would make the Games more inclusive and better connected to younger audiences.
He further highlighted the rise of mixed-gender events and the achievement of full gender parity at the Paris 2024 Olympics as major milestones for the Olympic movement.
“This is not just a number,” Gasol said. “It is a message.”
According to Gasol, the future success of the Olympic Games should not only be measured by medals and records, but also by how well athletes are protected and supported throughout their careers and beyond.