Following their candidature for the elections of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s Athletes’ Commission during the Olympic Games Rio 2016, and in consultation with the Chair, Angela Ruggiero, four Olympians have been appointed by the IOC President as members of the IOC Athletes’ Commission.
Taekwondoist Nadin Dawani (JOR), modern pentathlete Aya Medany (EGY), badminton player Saina Nehwal (IND), and basketball player Luis Scola (ARG) join 16 other members, including four athletes who were recently democratically elected by their peers at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, to form the IOC Athletes’ Commission.
While 12 members of the Commission are elected by Olympians for a term of eight years, the IOC President may also appoint up to seven members in order to ensure a balance between regions, gender and sports. The Commission also includes a representative of the World Olympians Association (WOA) and Intentional Paralympic Committee (IPC).
"On behalf of the IOC Athletes’ Commission and as its Chair, I am very pleased to be welcoming four new members to the Commission," commented Angela Ruggiero. "With their diverse backgrounds, knowledge and experiences, the new members will certainly bring valuable contributions to the work of the Commission."
Ruggiero, elected as Chair during this summer’s Olympic Games, added: "They are a great addition to an outstanding and very active Commission and I am very confident that the athletes around the world will hugely benefit from their commitment and experience."
Since the beginning of her mandate, Angela Ruggiero has been encouraging athletes to engage closely with the IOC Athletes’ Commission, and has made it her priority to ensure members are connected with the wider athlete audience either directly or through the Olympic Athletes’ Hub.
As the voice of athletes within the Olympic Movement, the IOC Athletes’ Commission has a critical and fundamental role in supporting athletes on and off the field of play. Reflecting the Olympic Agenda 2020 goal of placing the athletes at the heart of the Olympic Movement, the Commission works very closely with the IOC and all stakeholders of the Olympic Movement. The Commission members are for instance involved in many key IOC activities including: the process for evaluating Candidate Cities seeking to host the Olympic Games; the composition of the sports programme for the Games; and the protection of clean sport.
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