KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

Nine candidates vying for slots in IOC Athletes’ Commission

16/12/2013

In less than two months’ time, the Olympic Villages for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games will officially open to welcome athletes from all corners of the world. This will also mark the starting point for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Commission elections. From 30 January to 19 February 2014, all athletes participating in the Sochi Games are encouraged to have their say in selecting two of their peers as representatives on the IOC Athletes’ Commission. 

Each athlete will be asked to vote for two candidates from two different sports, to ensure varied representation from the Olympic sports programme. There are nine candidates in total, and all of them either participated in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games or will be taking part in the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games. Voting locations will be in the “IOC Spaces” situated in the dining halls of each of the three Olympic Villages (Coastal, Mountain and Endurance).

You can find the Election Manual featuring all nine candidates here.

The results of the vote will be announced on 20 February 2014 at 2 p.m. at the Media Centre in the Coastal Olympic Village in Sochi. The two elected athletes will then be proposed to the IOC Session for IOC membership.

The IOC Athletes’ Commission is currently composed of 22 members, who are past or active Olympians. They are the voice of the athletes within the Olympic Movement and are defending their interests. As the link between the athletes and the IOC, the Commission members are involved in many IOC key activities, such as the process to evaluate candidate cities seeking to host the Olympic Games, the composition of the sports programme for the Games and the fight against doping. The Athletes’ Commission also oversees the IOC Athlete Career Programme, established in 2005, to facilitate education as well as job opportunities for athletes during and after their sporting career. The Commission’s chairperson, a position currently held by Claudia Bokel, also sits on the IOC Executive Board.

Follow updates on the IOC Athletes’ Commission elections here