Adam Pengilly elected to IOC Athletes’ Commission
University of Bath based skeleton athlete Adam Pengilly has been elected to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes.
Pengilly received the most votes (615) from the total number of ballots accepted (1,902), which represents 75.3 per cent of the Olympic athletes at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
Pengilly will serve for a term of eight years and become an IOC member during that period.
The role of the IOC Athletes’ Commission is to ensure athletes have a voice within the IOC and ensure that athletes are always at the heart of the IOC and the Olympic Games.
Nine athletes hailing from nine different countries across four continents stood as candidates for election, all the candidates were winter athletes who participated in 2006 in Turin or are participating in Vancouver 2010.
Pengilly, who is Vice Chair of the British Athletes Commission, said: “Clearly I’m very excited to be representing the world’s athletes, and in particular winter athletes. It is a real privilege to be elected by my peers and I will represent them to the very best of my ability.
“Obviously, as a British athlete, it is a special time to be elected. I’m sure London 2012 will be fantastic and I look forward to being involved in many ways as a member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission.”
Pengilly finished 18th in the skeleton at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games; the second Games at which he has represented Team GB.
Andy Hunt, Team GB Chef de Mission and British Olympic Association Chief Executive said: “I would like to offer my congratulations to Adam Pengilly on his election to the IOC Athletes’ Commission. I am very proud that a member of Team GB has been voted by his peers into this crucial and prestigious position.
“The British Olympic Association follows an athlete-centric approach in everything we do, so it is great to see Adam holding such an integral role, promoting the athlete voice, within the IOC. We look forward to working with, and supporting, Adam in the run up to London 2012 and beyond.”
Joining Pengilly on the IOC Athletes’ Commission will be USA women’s ice hockey player Angela Ruggiero, who received 605 votes. The two new members will be confirmed by full IOC membership before being officially introduced at the Closing Ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games on 28 February.
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The University of Bath is The Sunday Times University of the Year 2011/12.
