WOA Congratulates New IOC Athletes’ Commission Appointments

21 | 10 | 2016

World Olympians Association has welcomed the announcement of the four newest members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Commission. Saina Nehwal (India, Badminton), Luis Scola (Argentina, Basketball), Aya Medany (Egypt, Modern Pentathlon) and Nadin Dawani (Jordan, Taekwondo) join the now 20-strong commission working to represent the interests of athletes throughout the Olympic Movement.

The appointments were made by IOC President Thomas Bach in consultation with new chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission and WOA Executive Committee Member Angela Ruggiero. The Olympians, who all previously stood for election during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, have been added in order to ensure a balance between regions, genders and sports within the commission.

The IOC Athletes’ Commission now comprises 11 female and nine male members from across every continent.

WOA President, Joël Bouzou, said:

“On behalf of World Olympians Association, I would like to send my heartfelt congratulations to the four newest members of the IOC Athletes’ Commission. All four Olympians are thoroughly deserving of this honour and it is just reward for their commitment and dedication, not only to their sports but also to always upholding the Olympic values.

“We are particularly pleased to see a greater representation of female athletes within the commission, in line with the Olympic Agenda 2020 commitment to promote gender equality at all levels of sport. We look forward to working with the new members and continuing our strong relationship with the IOC Athletes’ Commission as we move forward into this new Olympic cycle.”

The IOC Athletes’ Commission next meets on 5 and 6 November in Lausanne.

The full composition is:

  • Angela RUGGIERO (USA, Ice Hockey) - Chair
  • Tony ESTANGUET (France, Canoe Slalom) – Vice-Chair
  • Danka BARTEKOVA (Slovakia, Shooting)
  • Kirsty COVENTRY (Zimbabwe, Swimming)
  • Nadin DAWANI (Jordan, Taekwondo)
  • Daniel GYURTA (Hungary, Swimming)
  • Britta HEIDEMANN (Germany, Fencing)
  • Stefan HOLM (Sweden, Athletics) 
  • Yelena ISINBAYEVA (Russian Federation, Athletics)
  • Aya MEDANY (Egypt, Modern Pentathlon)
  • Saina NEHWAL (India, Badminton)
  • Todd NICHOLSON (Canada, Para Sledge Hockey) – IPC representative
  • Adam PENGILLY (Great Britain, Skeleton)
  • Seung Min RYU (Republic of Korea, Table Tennis)
  • Luis SCOLA (Argentina, Basketball)
  • Patrick SINGLETON (Bermuda, Luge) – WOA representative
  • James TOMKINS, OAM (Australia, Rowing)
  • Sarah WALKER (New Zealand, Cycling BMX)
  • Hayley WICKENHEISER (Canada, Ice Hockey)
  • Yang YANG (China, Speed Skating)

To find out more about the valuable work carried out by the IOC Athletes’ Commission please visit https://www.olympic.org/athletes-commission or connect via the Olympic Athletes' Hub.

Image credit: Getty / IOC