Golden 25 - #11 Rio 2016 Coordination Commission Chair Nawal El Moutawakel

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 12: Nawal El Moutawakel, IOC Member from Morocco and Commission Chair speaks to the media during a press conference August 12, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The press conference follows an IOC Coordination Commission meeting for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

(ATR) The IOC coordination commission chair for Rio 2016 has her work cut out to help Brazil deliver a smooth-running Games.

Nawal El Moutawakel is number 11 in the Around the Rings Golden 25 for 2016. Now in its 20th year, the survey ranks 25 individuals or events expected to have a major influence on the Olympics in the year ahead.

With construction nearly done, venues being fitted out and operations finetuned, El Moutawakel’s commission turns its attentions to the finer details and trimming costs wherever possible amid the country’s economic slump.

The IOC Executive Board member underscored the challenges for Rio 2016 organisers in Lausanne earlier in December following an EB meeting. She said there were "not hundreds, not thousands but maybe millions" of details that Rio 2016 "need to care about" in the run-in to the August Games.

El Moutawakel, 53, will hope the 25 test events to be staged in the coming months are not too bumpy a ride for Rio organizers.

The Moroccan IOC member is also contributing greatly to further implementation of Agenda 2020 reforms this year. She sits on the commissions for public affairs and social development through sport, communications, and women in sport.

2015 ranking: 10

Written by Mark Bisson.

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