Julian Fletcher, the former Bermuda swimmer, took part in the world’s largest Athlete Forum in International Olympic Committee history in Lausanne, Switzerland, this month.

The event involved more than 300 participants from National Olympic Committee (NOC) Athletes’ Commissions as well as International Federation Athletes’ Commissions, the World Anti-Doping Agency Athletes’ Commissions, Athletes’ Commissions of the Organising Committees for the Olympic Games, the NOC Continental Association Athletes’ Commissions, the International Paralympic Committee’s Athlete Council and the World Olympians Association’s Executive Board.

“The Athletes’ Forum was held to promote and spread awareness of the Olympic agenda, and serve as an informational session for the IOC Executive Board,” Fletcher told smumustangs.com. “The forum was very useful for engaging with other athlete commissions and collaborating with the IOC and its member organisations.”

At the conclusion of the event, nine recommendations were made to the IOC Executive Board covering topics such as athletes’ representation, funding and financial support, doping and mental health to name a few.

Fletcher, who earned a Master’s in sport management and finance from the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, represented Bermuda at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, the Pan Am Games in Toronto in 2015 and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014. The 28-year-old also competed in five World Championships.

“My SMU degree has helped me build the tools and network to promote Olympic sport and ideals within my community in Bermuda, and globally within the IOC,” Fletcher added.

Participants also took part in panel discussions, a Q&A session with IOC president Thomas Bach, breakout collaborative sessions and presentations by other IOC members.