The IBU is pleased to announce that three-time Olympian Johanna Talihärm will stand for election to the IOC Athletes' Commission during the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

Talihärm, who will compete for Estonia at Milano Cortina 2026, brings extensive experience in athlete representation. A three-time Olympian with 226 World Cup starts since making her debut in 2012, she currently serves as Chair of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) Athletes' Commission, a position she was elected to in November 2025 following two years as the Vice Chair. The Estonian has been a strong advocate for athlete voices throughout her career and is the athlete representative on the EOC’s European Youth Olympic Festival Commission and on the Istanbul 2027 European Games Coordination Commission.

Talihärm is one of 11 candidates approved by the IOC Executive Board who will vie for two available positions on the Commission. The election will be held during Milano Cortina 2026, starting on 30 January when the Olympic Villages officially open and running until 18 February, with results announced on 19 February. All athletes competing at Milano Cortina 2026 will be eligible to vote, with polling stations located at each of the six Olympic Villages.

The two candidates receiving the highest number of votes, from two different sports, will be elected to serve eight-year terms on the IOC Athletes' Commission and will be proposed for election as IOC Members to the IOC Session.

Talihärm said: “I have always been motivated by the opportunity to give back. Competing for a club, university, and a nation has been a great way to inspire the people and the younger generation around me, which I’ve had the pleasure of doing for the past 15 years as a biathlete. But there’s also another way of giving back, that is by trying to improve the lives of other athletes. I have been a member of the Estonian NOC’s Athletes’ Commission for five years and Chair of the European Olympic Committees Athletes’ Commission since November, having been the Vice Chair for two years prior to that. I hope to bring this experience and my passion to the IOC Athletes’ Commission as well. I am also in the final stages of completing an MBA degree, so I am very interested in the workings of sports organizations. I promise to be an active advocate for YOUR rights!”

IBU President Olle Dahlin said: "We are incredibly proud to see Johanna step forward to represent athletes at the highest level of the Olympic Movement. I encourage all biathletes competing at Milano Cortina to make their voices heard and support Johanna in this election. This is an important opportunity to ensure biathlon has strong representation in the decisions that shape the future of our sport and the Olympic Movement."

The full list of candidates and their biographies can be found on the IOC website, with further information available via the Athlete365 platform.

Photo: IBU/Manzoni