Thursday, 19 Sep 2024

BWF News

Badminton athlete, Saina Nehwal, has been appointed as a member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission by IOC President Thomas Bach. This prestigious position is one of four that were personally appointed by Bach. The Indian player’s appointment, confirmed today by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), was made in consultation with the new Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, Angela Ruggiero, in order to ensure a balance between regions, genders, and sports.

Saina Nehwal, a 26-year-old Women’s Singles athlete, will be the first Indian to join this body, which comprises 12 elected members and a maximum of seven others appointed by the IOC President. This appointment is a great honor for Nehwal, who said, “I feel honored and happy to be appointed to the IOC Athletes’ Commission, especially as the first athlete from my country to have this distinction of representing athletes worldwide.”

Poul-Erik Høyer, the President of the Badminton World Federation and also an IOC member, congratulated Nehwal on her appointment. He noted, “It is a significant achievement for her and for badminton. Saina has been a leading personality in our sport for some years, and we are pleased that she has been given this opportunity to serve at a higher level – among the voices speaking on behalf of athletes – and we wish her well.”

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Nehwal’s appointment comes at a time when she has recently resumed badminton practice after undergoing knee surgery and a five-week rehabilitation period for an injury that affected her performance at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. She expressed her optimism, saying, “It’s been a good week for me, and I hope this is a positive sign as I continue my recovery. I started practicing today, and I look forward to playing in China and Hong Kong.”

In addition to Nehwal, three other athletes were appointed by Bach: Luis Scola (Argentina), Aya Medany (Egypt), and Nadin Dawani (Jordan). These athletes were among 23 candidates in the election for the IOC Athletes’ Commission that took place during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The four athletes with the highest number of votes were elected.

The IOC Athletes’ Commission plays a crucial role in placing athletes at the heart of the Olympic Movement and strengthening support for them. It serves as a link between athletes and the IOC, supporting them both on and off the field of play. The Commission members are involved in key IOC activities, including the evaluation of Candidate Cities for hosting the Olympic Games, the composition of the sports program for the Games, and ensuring the protection of clean sport.

To learn more about the IOC Athletes’ Commission, visit their website.