Jan 27, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers former player Pau Gasol stands courtside before the game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Pau Gasol Named Chair Of IOC Athletes’ Commission

Originally posted on Lakers Nation | By Corey Hansford | Last updated Feb 20, 2026 1:54 PM ET

Los Angeles Lakers legend Pau Gasol is one of the greatest international basketball players to ever step foot in the NBA. There’s a reason he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame and his jersey is hanging in the rafters of the Crypto.com Arena.

But for as great of a basketball player as he was, Gasol is also an amazing human being who has always dedicated himself to causes bigger than him. The Spaniard has always looked to improve things he’s been involved in and represent himself and his peers in the best light. And with the 2028 Olympics coming to Los Angeles, Gasol is set to be involved in that as well.

It has been announced that Gasol has been named the new Chair of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Commission, via Athlete 365:

Basketball legend @paugasol is the new Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission.

The five-time Olympian and three-time Olympic medallist is excited about the opportunity ahead – building on the strong foundations already laid for athletes as momentum grows towards LA 2028.

A… pic.twitter.com/5gmSANNOzB

— Athlete365 (@Athlete365) February 20, 2026

And Gasol also took to social media following the announcement, saying he plans on leading the Athletes’ Commission with pride and working hard on their behalf:

I take this responsibility as an honor and an opportunity to lead our Commission with pride and excitement, fully committed to working hard on behalf of the athletes.

Thank you for your trust and support. The stronger we are together, the more we will accomplish. https://t.co/l1FFhA7fAJ

— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) February 20, 2026

The IOC Athletes’ Commission serves as a link between Olympic athletes and the IOC with the goal of supporting athletes in both their sporting and non-sporting careers. Some of the responsibilities of the Athletes’ Commission include promoting athlete involvement in decision-making across the Olympic movement and ensuring athlete representation in Olympic movement decision-making.

It is hard to imagine any athlete who could serve as a better representation of Olympians than Gasol and there is no doubt that the Lakers legend will put everything he can into ensuring the Olympic athletes are heard and get everything they need for the 2028 games.