Six athletes elected onto the BOA's Athletes' Commission
Press Release
15 November 2016 - Six athletes have been appointed onto the British Olympic Association’s (BOA) Athletes’ Commission after voting closed on the election of new members.
Adam Gemili (Athletics), James Rodwell (Rugby Sevens), Joanna Rowsell Shand (Cycling), Lizzie Simmonds (Swimming), Lizzy Yarnold (Skeleton) will all join the Commission for the first time in the New Year while Katherine Grainger (Rowing) is re-elected.
In total, over 800 eligible Olympians and potential Olympians voted in the election with 18 athletes standing for the six positions.
Of the existing Commission, six members’ terms were set to draw to a close in December. Grainger, Heather Fell and Christian Malcolm stood for re-election while James Cracknell, Kate Richardson-Walsh and Leon Taylor will stand down from their position at the end of the year.
The Athletes’ Commission is made up of 14 members including Chair Ben Hawes and the IOC Athletes’ Commission representative Adam Pengilly.
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 athlete is at the heart of everything the organisation does.
Athletes’ Commission Chair Ben Hawes said: “The elections have been a great success with a record number of athletes voting on who they want to represent them on the Athletes’ Commission. I’d like to extend a warm welcome to the new members and also a return for Katherine, who will continue to be a valuable asset to the group.
“Having a broad range of sports, experiences and viewpoints is hugely important in helping deliver for the athlete community and we now look forward to contributing to the success of Team GB at PyeongChang 2018, Tokyo 2020 and beyond.
“A huge thank you also goes to those athletes who will depart the Commission at the end of the year. Their enthusiasm and passion for Team GB and Olympic sport has been invaluable over the past four years and their contribution to our efforts is greatly appreciated.”
BOA’s Athletes’ Commission 2017-2020:
Chair: Ben Hawes (Hockey)
IOC Athletes’ Commission: Adam Pengilly (Skeleton)
Eric Boateng (Basketball)
Jon Eley (Short Track Speed Skating)
Adam Gemili (Athletics)
Sarah Gosling (Sailing)
Katherine Grainger (Rowing)
Claire Hamilton (Curling)
Nathan Robertson (Badminton)
James Rodwell (Rugby Sevens)
Joanna Rowsell Shand (Cycling)
Goldie Sayers (Athletics)
Lizzie Simmonds (Swimming)
Lizzy Yarnold (Skeleton)
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.
About the BOA
The British Olympic Association (BOA) is the National Olympic Committee for Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Its mission is to develop, promote and protect the Olympic Movement in our territory in accordance with the Olympic Charter. The BOA achieves this through:
- Working in partnership with our members and key stakeholders to deliver world-leading services and support to enable British athletes to reach their full potential at the Olympic Games, Olympic Winter Games and other IOC-sanctioned events
- Working in partnership with our members and key stakeholders to provide athletes with relevant support on the journey to, during and following their Olympic careers
- Engaging people throughout the United Kingdom to pursue their very own goals and dreams through the Olympic Values and the example of Team GB Olympians
- Being the independent voice of Olympic Sport and collaborating with our members and other sport stakeholders, both domestically and internationally, to support the continued growth and overall health of the Olympic Movement in the UK
