Kayange joins a new-look Athlete’s Commission chaired by Emma Terho of Finland, who has joined the IOC Executive Board.
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont has led the sport’s congratulations to former Kenya Sevens star Humphrey Kayange, who has been elected as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) after he was appointed to the Athletes’ Commission by IOC President Thomas Bach.
Kayange, the chair of the National Olympic Committee of
Kenya Athletes' Commission, was formally sworn into his new position at the IOC
Session in Tokyo and becomes the first rugby Olympian to be appointed to the
IOC’s decision-making structures.
The 39-year-old, who represented Kenya on the Sevens circuit
for more than a decade, was a key member of the bid team that successfully
persuaded the IOC to return rugby to the Olympic Games in 2009. He also
competed at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games when the discipline debuted and was
nominated for World Rugby Sevens player of the year in 2009 and 2013.
Kayange’s candidacy was aimed at giving stronger
representation to athletes from smaller or developing nations which experience
unique challenges. He also focused on advocacy of equality and fairness in the
fight to maintain a level playing field in sport.
“On behalf of the global rugby family, I would like to offer
my warmest congratulations to Humphrey on his election as an IOC member and
appointment to the IOC Athletes’ Commission,” said Beaumont.
“Humphrey represented his nation and sport with distinction
on the field for more than a decade, was instrumental in rugby’s return to the
Olympics and has championed the views of athletes superbly in a Kenyan, African
and rugby context.
“Humphrey’s appointment is great endorsement of rugby. We
will give our full support to him in his mission to work for all athletes,
including rugby players, within the Olympic movement.”
Beaumont’s sentiments have been echoed by World Rugby
Executive Committee member Angela Ruggiero who served as an IOC member,
Executive Board member and chair of the Athletes’ Commission.
“I would like to extend my congratulations to Humphrey and
wish him all the best in his capacity championing the voice of athletes within
the IOC movement, said Ruggiero. “It is an important role with huge
responsibility, but also huge potential to further recognise and normalise
athlete views, diversity, engagement and expression within the Olympic family.
“At this important time for society and sport, I hope that
the Athletes’ Commission continues to understand and act on embracing platforms
and technology that promote expression and deepen engagement with
purpose-driven fluid fans who hold the keys to the future success of the
Olympic Games and sport more broadly.”
Kayange joins a new-look Athlete’s Commission chaired by
Emma Terho of Finland, who has joined the IOC Executive Board.
“I would also like to congratulate Emma on her appointment
as Chair of the Athletes’ Commission,” said Beaumont.
Spanish basketball legend Pau Gasol, Italian swimmer
Federica Pellegrini, Japanese fencer Yuki Ota and Polish cyclist Maja Martyna
WÅ‚oszczowska have also become IOC members after being elected to the Athletes'
Commission.
The four replace the outgoing chair Kirsty Coventry,
vice-chair Danka Bartekova, France's Tony Estanguet and Australia's James
Tomkins, whose terms on the Athletes' Commission have concluded.
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