NextGen 2020 - The New IOC from the Americas

(ATR) After a string of retirements the IOC membership from the Americas has been replenished with some promising new personalities. The roster in the Americas includes athletes, business and government leaders, an ambassador and a former prime minister.

Nicole Hoevertsz of Aruba is on track to be considered as a contender for IOC president. Elected in 2006, she now holds a seat on the IOC EB. Her prominence will rise as chair of the Los Angeles 2028 cocomm. She is vice chair for Paris 2024. In Aruba, Hoevertsz is a leading figure in the national government.

Neven Ilic of Chile became an IOC member in 2017, a year after his election as president of continental association Panam Sports. Now making his mark revitalizing the group formerly known as PASO, his sole commission assignment is Olympic Solidarity. Ilic could be in line to head OS, which distributes more than $500 million in IOC revenues, a post that would be part of his eventual rise to become president of the Association of National Olympic Committees. He might also be a possible candidate for IOC President post-Thomas Bach.

By her background Laura Chinchilla could become a significant voice for the IOC. She’s a former prime minister of Costa Rica, still waiting for a commission assignment following her election to the IOC in 2019.

Camilo Perez has been an IOC member since 2018. He’s an influential figure in the leadership of the International Tennis Federation and president of ODESUL, the organizer of the South American Games. He’s been president of the Paraguay NOC since 2011.

Luis Moreno, IOC member since 2016, is a former ambassador from Colombia to the U.S and is currently head of the Inter-American Development Bank. He is the IOC’s new representative to the United Nations.

Luis Mejia of Dominican Republic has taken a seat on the IOC after many years of work leading the NOC. Now he is also driving CACSO, the regional association of Caribbean and Central American NOCs. As newly elected president Mejia is hoping to raise the profile of the group.

Kikkan Randall, IOC Athletes Commission member, will be one to watch as she serves the remaining six years of her term on the IOC. The 2018 cross country gold medalist for the U.S. has an inspiring back story as a mother and cancer survivor.

Reported by Ed Hula.