Actions

Four-time Olympian and IOC Member Angela Ruggiero joins WOA Executive Board

9 | 4 | 2015

American Ice Hockey great Angela Ruggiero has joined the World Olympians Association (WOA) Executive Board as the IOC Athletes’ Commission Liaison. The Olympic Gold Medallist will replace the incumbent, Peter Tallberg, on an interim basis as the Finnish former sailor and five-time Olympian takes a temporary leave of absence from the post.

Ruggiero brings a wealth of experience to the role as both an athlete and an administrator. The Ice Hockey defender competed at four consecutive Olympic Games (Nagano 1998, Salt Lake City 2002, Turin 2006 and Vancouver 2010) where she picked up a Gold, two Silver and a Bronze medal. She is also a three-time World Championship Gold Medallist, seven-time Silver Medallist and holds the record of playing more games for Team USA than any other man or woman.

In 2010 Ruggiero became an IOC Member and joined the IOC Athletes’ Commission where she currently acts as Vice-Chair. She is a member of the Entourage Commission, the Evaluation then Coordination Commission for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games and Chair of the Coordination Commission for the 2nd Winter Youth Olympic Games in 2016 in Lillehammer. On top of her work with the IOC she also sits on the Board of Directors of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).

Joël Bouzou, President of the WOA, said:

“It is with great pleasure that I am able to welcome Angela Ruggiero as IOC Athletes’ Commission Liaison to the WOA Executive Board. Throughout her playing career Angela embodied the Olympic spirit and she has carried her commitment, dedication and exceptional skill in to her role as a sports administrator. She will do an excellent job for the WOA and Olympians around the world. I’d also like to send my sincere thanks and best wishes to Peter Tallberg.”

Olympic Gold Medallist, Angela Ruggiero said:

“Being an Olympian is a core part of who I am and I am looking forward to working alongside the WOA Executive Board in the coming months for the benefit of my fellow Olympians.  The athletes are the core of the Olympic Movement and we must ensure that we do all we can to facilitate their needs to allow them to flourish and prosper in competition and in life outside of sport.”