Portuguese Olympian Filipa Martins has been elected to represent artistic gymnasts on the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), marking a significant shift for athlete advocacy within the sport’s global governing body.
Martins, a decorated competitor, expressed her eagerness to transition from the competitive floor to an influential administrative role. She emphasized her commitment to serving her peers.
“Thank you for your vote of confidence, thank you for supporting me in this candidacy for this new position,” Martins said in remarks released by the Portuguese Gymnastics Federation. “I’m super excited to start. On the same stage, but now helping those who need it most, which are the athletes.”
The 29-year-old Martins competed for the position against two other international candidates: Simona Castro from Chile and Giulia Steingruber from Switzerland. Her election brings a voice with recent competitive experience directly into the federation.
Martins is a distinguished athlete, having been an ‘all-around’ finalist at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. She has also secured multiple medals in World Cups and Universiades throughout her career.
Her influence extends to the sport’s technical elements, with a signature skill known as the ‘Martins’ element included in the international scoring code.
The election took place today in Indonesia, held on the sidelines of the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships currently underway in Jakarta.
“Thank you very much to all who voted, to all gymnasts, and I’ll see you around,” Martins added, reiterating her desire to engage with athletes. “I’m very willing to listen to you, which I think is the most important thing.”