The Skeet Olympic Bronze medalist Danka Bartekova from Slovakia has been elected to the Athletes’ Commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) together with James Tomkins from Australia (rowing), Kirsty Coventry from Zimbabwe (aquatics) and Tony Estanguet from France (canoe-kayak) by their peers at the London 2012 Olympic Games for a term of eight years. During this period, she will also serve as IOC members, bringing the athletes' voice to the heart of the Olympic Movement.
The election was held from 16 July to 8 August 2012 in the Olympic Village in London. Bartekova was elected with 2,295 votes, and turned out to be the most voted candidate. Some 6,924 athletes – 64 per cent of all eligible voters – chose from among 21 candidates from the same number of countries. The votes had to be cast for four different athletes from four different sports. In order to be eligible, the candidates had to have participated either in the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008 or in London in 2012, and have never been found guilty of a doping offence during their sports career.
“I have dedicated my life to the sport, and working with the IOC has always been a dream for me.” Danka said, after the election.
“I will try to bring the voice of the athletes to the IOC, and I will work in favor of the sport movement.” She added.
“I will continue shooting, and I will cope with my new responsibilities. I believe I still have goals to achieve in my sport career, and at the same time I am not afraid of these new responsibilities.”
The Commission, which meets once or twice per year, serves as a consultative body and is the link between active athletes and the IOC. It is composed of 12 athletes (8 summer and 4 winter) elected for eight years by the athletes participating in the Olympic Games, and of up to seven athletes appointed by the IOC President, to ensure a balance between regions, genders and sports. In addition, a representative of the World Olympians Association (WOA) and a representative of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) are ex-officio members.