The International Olympic Committee (IOC) elected six new members Friday during its 122nd Session in Vancouver.
The new IOC members include HRH Prince Faisal bin Al-Hussein of Jordan, President of the Jordanian Olympic Committee, Maria de la Soledad Casado Estupinan of Spain, President of the International Triathlon Union, Barry John Maister of New Zealand, Secretary General of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, Dagmawit Girmay Berhane of Ethiopia, Secretary General of the Ethiopian Olympic Committee, Patrick McQuaid of Ireland, President of the International Cycling Union, and Yang Yang of China, an Olympic speed skating champion who was nominated as an active athlete.
His Royal Highness Prince Feisal Al Hussein is also Chairman of Generations for Peace. HRH Prince Feisal said, “it is a great honour to have been elected as a member of the most historic, prestigious and influential sporting organization in the world. I would like to thank the IOC membership for putting their faith in me and, with all humility, I pledge to serve the Olympic Movement and uphold its fine traditions and values”.
Marisol Casado said “it is truly a great honour to be elected as an IOC Member. I would like to extend gratitude to my new colleagues for their warmest support. I am also deeply grateful to the entire triathlon family whom I have been working with more than 30 years. Contributing to the future of the Olympic Movement, I would like to dedicate myself to this new responsibility.
“I believe triathlon is a sport which promotes the Olympic ideals and a sport which can address issues such as environmental awareness and a healthy lifestyle. Triathlon is a young inspirational sport which links sport competition at its highest level to a healthy balanced lifestyle for all participants of all abilities. Global sport development as typified by Team ITU –a support project for talented athletes in emerging/developing national federations- has always been our core activity, in keeping with the spirit of the IOC’s Olympic Solidarity programmes.
Thomas Bach became IOC Vice President for another term of office and Sam Ramsamy was re-elected as an Executive Board Member.
