The
Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) first Vice President, Miss Beatrice
Allen, has been appointed to four International Olympic Committee (IOC) 2017
commissions.
The
IOC yesterday announced the revised composition of the IOC commissions for
2017, marked by an increase of 70% in female representation since September
2013. The commissions also reflect a broader geographical representation and
include a number of new faces from the next generation who will be the leaders
of tomorrow.
Miss
Allen, who has been an IOC Member since 2006, served in three commissions
before and her appointment in four commissions demonstrates the trust of the
committee in her commitment and leadership qualities shown during her
10-year-tenure as an IOC member.
She
previously served on the following IOC Commissions: Women and Sport
(2004-2015), Culture and Olympic Education (2008-2015), Coordination for the Games
of the XXXI Olympiad Rio 2016 (2010-2016), Olympic Education (2015- ) and Women
in Sport (2015- ).
Miss
Beatrice Allen, 67, who is also the chair of the Association of National
Olympic Committee of Africa (ANOCA) women in Sports Commission, has now been
appointed to the IOC Public Affairs and Social Development Through Sports
Commission.
She
will also serve on the IOC Women in Sports Commission, the Olympic Education
Commission as well as the Sustainability and Legacy Commission.
Beatrice
Allen, who previously was first Vice President of The Gambia National Olympic
Committee (GNOC), saw her IOC membership extended by 8 years in 2014.
President Bach has significantly increased the
number of women appointed to a commission since his election, with 38% of
places now held by women – an historic high. That is a 70% increase since 2013.
In 2017, 29 more positions are held by women across the 26 IOC commissions than
in 2016, and female members are present on each commission.
Increases
in the number of members from America, Africa and Asia was also heralded as
guaranteeing, a “more global and diverse continental representation”.
New
Zealand’s Barry Maister has also been appointed the new chair of the Olympic
Education Commission to replace Britain’s Sir Philip Craven.
Sir
Philip is due to stand down as President of the International Paralympic
Committee and vacate his IOC membership in September.
“These
changes are aligned with the implementation of the Olympic Agenda 2020 and show
that a stronger participation of women and a more diversified continental
representation are our top priorities,” Bach said.
“The
diversity of members guarantees interesting and more inclusive discussions and
reflects the Olympic Movement’s commitment to universality. Listening to youth,
entrusting youth and empowering youth is needed more than ever in the world of
sport. This will contribute to keeping tomorrow’s sport and the Olympic
Movement as a whole relevant, inspiring and impactful,” added.
