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20 April 2005, 09:28 am

KENDALL To Become IOC Member

IOC News

Berlin, Germany

The IOC Executive Board yesterday started it's second day of meeting in Berlin, Germany by accepting the candidature of New Zealand's windsurfing legend and 1992 Olympic champion, Barbara KENDAL.

KENDALL took on Australian swimmer, Susie O'NEILL's position on the Athletes' Commission after O'NEILL resigned earlier this year. She was put forward by the Nominations Commission as she was the athlete from Oceania who received the highest number of votes after O'NEILL in the election to the Athletes' Commission in Sydney.

The Athletes' Commission is the link between active athletes and the International Olympic Committee. The 19 person group is made up of active and retired athletes who meet regularly with the IOC Executive Board, to which it issues recommendations. The Commission forms working groups to work in liaison with the Organising Committees for the Olympic Games to ensure that the athletes' needs are met. The vote for KENDALL's proposed membership of the IOC will take place at the 117th IOC Session in July.

Olympic Gold Medal winner in Barcelona in 1992, KENDALL has participated in four Olympic Games including the Athens Games last year. She won silver in Atlanta in 1996 and a bronze medal in Sydney 2000.

Back in January when KENDALL's appointment to the Athletes Commission was announced, Peter LESTER of Yachting New Zealand, commented, 'It's fantastic for the country and for the sport of sailing in New Zealand. It is thoroughly deserved by KENDALL with her exceptional Olympic medal-winning history. It recognises Barbara's achievements as an athlete. It also gives New Zealand a voice and a representative within the small and exclusive 19 member Commission.'

A delegation from the Beijing Organising Committee for the 2008 Olympic Games was also present in Berlin to update the Executive Board on it's activities. Coordination Commission Chairman Hein VERBRUGGEN praised the quality of the work achieved so far.

The IOC Executive Board is meeting in Berlin during the SportAccord Convention which ends today. Present at the convetion are ISAF President, Göran PETERSSON (SWE) and ISAF Secretary General, Arve SUNDHEIM (NOR).