Britain's Adam Pengilly elected to IOC Athletes' Commission in Vancouver

Bobsleigh & Skeleton Vancouver 2010 Post a comment

Posted: Thursday 25th February 2010 | 1:18

GREAT Britain's skeleton slider Adam Pengilly has been elected to the International Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission in Vancouver - succeeding where Sir Chris Hoy failed in Beijing.

ELECTED: British skeleton slider Adam Pengilly has been elected to the IOC Athletes' Commission (Getty Images)

Pengilly, 32, has been elected by his peers and will serve on the commission for eight years. He also becomes an IOC member, strengthening the British ranks within the Olympic governing body with London 2012 on the horizon.

Pengilly joins Sir Craig Reedie, who was elected to the IOC Executive Board in October, as well as Paralympic chief Sir Phillip Craven and Princess Anne.

"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," said Pengilly, who was elected with 615 votes.

"I was elected on a mandate to strive for real equality on many levels in sport. I will work for equality between summer and winter sports, and to ensure all athletes face the same demands and requirements.

"I aim to work together with the IOC and international federations to create and develop programmes for smaller nations so that there is no gulf between them and the top nations at Olympic Games.

"I would also like to try and ensure that the families of athletes, who have helped and supported them so much, have proper access to enjoy the Olympic experience. To achieve this, I will discuss re-introducing the host family programme.

"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."

It ensures Pengilly's Vancouver 2010 experience ends on a high note after the world silver medallist struggled into 18th place at the Whistler Sliding Centre.

Pengilly has proved successful in being elected to the Athletes' Commission where Hoy, the four-time Olympic track cycling gold medallist failed at Beijing 2008.

And British Olympic Association chairman Colin Moynihan and chief executive Andy Hunt were quick to applaud the decision, only too aware that the Olympic flame's next port of call is London.

"I am delighted for Adam Pengilly to have succeeded in his quest to become a member of the IOC Athletes' Commission," said Moynihan, who was elected to the European Olympic Committee executive committee in November.

"It is a tribute to the core values of the IOC that they have developed a robust pathway for the athlete voice to be heard loud and clearly, and for athletes to be central to all decision making.

"I am sure Adam will do a terrific job on behalf of the athletes, particularly with the London 2012 Olympic Games just two years away."

Hunt added: "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."

The USA's ice hockey player Angela Marie Ruggiero has also been elected and the two new members will replace Pernilla Wiberg and Manuela Di Centa, who were elected to the Athletes' Commission at the Games in Salt Lake City in 2002, and have come to the end of their term of office.