Lausanne, June 8, 2016 – The Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will propose eight new Members for election at the 129th IOC Session ahead of the Olympic Games Rio 2016 this summer. Among them, three Europeans:
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– Ms Sari Essayah (Finland) Olympian, racewalker, Chair of the Finnish Christian Democratic Party, proposed as individual member,
– Ivo Ferriani (Italy) Olympian, bobsleigher, President of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation, proposed as member representing an International Federation,
– Karl Stoss (Austria), Chairman of the Managing Board of Casinos Austria AG, President of the Austrian Olympic Committee, proposed as individual member.

Candidates from the other continents are: Luis Moreno (Colombia), Ms Auvita Rapilla (Papua New Guinea), Anant Singh (South Africa), Ms Tricia Smith (Canada) and Ms Nita Ambani (India).

The list is the result of the first targeted recruitment process for IOC Membership as outlined in Olympic Agenda 2020, the IOC’s strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement. A new set of criteria was applied by the IOC Members Election Commission, chaired by HRH the Princess Royal, which proposed the list of candidates to the EB. The Commission devised a procedure aimed at targeting new members with skills and experience needed by the IOC. The new approach includes integrity checks by the IOC Ethics Commission.

The proposed candidatures represent a cross-section of expertise from the worlds of sport, culture, medicine, sociology, business, law and management. Gender equality is guaranteed with four women and four men on the list.

“These eight candidates that we are proposing to the next IOC Session are a strong and varied group of individuals that are experts in their respective fields and will make great contributions,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. “They have been vetted by new criteria in keeping with the recommendations of Olympic Agenda 2020. These candidates will add extra strength and diversity to our already universal orchestra of IOC Members.”

The addition of eight new Members would bring the total number of Members to 99. The 129th IOC Session is scheduled to take place from 2 to 4 and on 21 August 2016.