Eighteen Olympians will stand for election for the British Olympic Association’s (BOA) Athletes’ Commission after voting opened for athletes last week.
The Commission, which was created in 2010 to bring the perspective and expertise of Olympic athletes to the many initiatives and programmes operated by the BOA, ensures that the athletes’ voice is at the heart of everything the organisation does.
In total, six positions are available after the four year terms of six members will draw to a close in December. Heather Fell, Katherine Grainger and Christian Malcolm are re-standing for election while James Cracknell, Kate Richardson-Walsh and Leon Taylor will stand down from their positions on the Commission.
Voting is open until Tuesday 8th November and any athlete who has competed for Team GB in the last 12 years, or those athletes that are Team GB Gold Club members – future Olympians as nominated by their respective sports – are eligible to vote.
Applications for nomination to stand were open to all British Olympians who have competed at an Olympic or Olympic Winter Games in the last 12 years. The six elected athletes will hold their role for a four year term through to the end of 2020.
The Athletes’ Commission is made up of 12 members as well as Chair Ben Hawes and the IOC Athletes’ Commission representative Adam Pengilly.
Ben Hawes, Chair of the BOA’s Athletes’ Commission said: “I am delighted that the 18 athletes' have decided to put themselves forward to represent the Olympic athlete community and it is great to see such a diverse group of sports represented.
"Our collective voice plays a crucial role in supporting the BOA to develop an Olympic environment to maximise performance and support athletes throughout their careers as well as beyond them. We are urging all eligible athletes to vote and have their say in who represents them at the BOA.
“The next four years is set to be an exciting time for Olympic sport here in the UK given the success of Team GB at Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016 and we look forward to welcoming fresh insight and ideas onto the Athletes’ Commission.”
The nominated athletes standing for election are:
Sarah Barrow, Aquatics Diving – 2012, 2016
Francesca Halsall, Aquatics Swimming – 2008, 2012, 2016
Keri-anne Payne, Aquatics Swimming – 2008, 2012, 2016
Lizzie Simmonds, Aquatics Swimming – 2008, 2012
Adam Gemili, Athletics – 2012, 2016
Christian Malcolm, Athletics – 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012
Andrew Steele, Athletics - 2008
Ed McKeever, Canoe Sprint - 2012
Joanna Rowsell Shand, Cycling Track – 2012, 2016
Bryony Page, Gymnastics Trampoline - 2016
Heather Fell, Modern Pentathlon - 2008
Jessica Eddie, Rowing – 2008, 2012, 2016
Katherine Grainger, Rowing – 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016
Frances Houghton, Rowing - 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016
James Rodwell, Rugby Sevens - 2016
Lizzy Yarnold, Skeleton - 2014
Lutalo Muhammad, Taekwondo – 2012, 2016
Lynne Beattie, Volleyball – 2012
About the Athletes' Commission
The British Olympic Association (BOA) Athletes’ Commission is a Committee of the BOA Board created to bring the perspective and expertise of Olympic athletes to the many initiatives and programmes operated by the BOA. The Commission ensures that the athlete is at the heart of everything the BOA does. It was formed in 2010 and meets every two months. As Chair, Ben Hawes is responsible for feeding the views of the Commission back to the BOA Board, of which he is a member.
Current members:
Chair: Ben Hawes (Hockey)
IOC Athletes’ Commission: Adam Pengilly (Skeleton)
Eric Boateng (Basketball)
James Cracknell (Rowing)
Jon Eley (Short Track Speed Skating)
Heather Fell (Modern Pentathlon)
Sarah Gosling (Sailing)
Katherine Grainger (Rowing)
Claire Hamilton (Curling)
Christian Malcolm (Athletics)
Kate Richardson-Walsh (Hockey)
Nathan Robertson (Badminton)
Goldie Sayers (Athletics)
Leon Taylor (Diving)