In a groundbreaking move to prioritise athlete well-being in endurance sports, World Athletics and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) have formalised a strengthened partnership through the World Academy for Endurance Medicine (WAEM).
This joint initiative aims to equip healthcare professionals worldwide with the tools to provide optimal medical care at endurance events.
The WAEM, a collaborative effort between the World Athletics’ Health & Science Department and the International Institute for Race Medicine (IIRM), seeks to establish standardised medical concepts, procedures, and protocols within race medicine. By offering comprehensive education and training programs, the Academy aims to elevate the standard of sports medicine, ensuring athlete safety and performance in even the most challenging conditions.
Stephane Bermon, Director of the Health & Science Department at World Athletics, highlighted the importance of the collaboration and said, “The partnership between the UCI and World Athletics in the context of the Academy is an invaluable opportunity to exchange best practices that are crucial to our sports,” said Bermon. “Together, we are elevating the standard of sports medicine to ensure athletes’ safety and performance in even the most challenging conditions. This partnership will empower healthcare professionals to better protect and guide athletes, ultimately benefiting both the sports of cycling and athletics.”
UCI Medical Director Professor Xavier Bigard, added, “Being able to draw on World Athletics’ experience in the hyperlocal and dynamic monitoring of environmental stressors is a great opportunity for road cycling and will likely help us to better understand and eventually mitigate these environmental risks.”
One of the WAEM’s top priorities for 2025 is the development of two e-learning modules on concussion management and relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S). These conditions can have serious consequences for athletes, and medical education is vital for improving diagnosis and treatment.
The WAEM offers various educational resources, including online courses, in-person workshops, and conferences. The curriculum covers exertional heat stroke, traumatic brain injuries, nutrition, and race emergency medicine. By providing tailored training, the Academy aims to address the specific needs of endurance athletes and ensure their safety during competitions.
As the WAEM continues to grow and expand its reach, it is poised to become a leading authority in endurance medicine. By providing standardised training and education, the Academy will play a crucial role in improving athlete safety and promoting the highest standards of medical care in the field.
