The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board confirmed the postponement of the Athletes' Commission elections until 2021.
Meeting virtually today, the Executive Board confirmed they would extend the IOC membership of the Athletes' Commission representatives whose terms would have expired at this year's Olympic Games in Tokyo.
A list of 30 athletes nominated by National Olympic Committees to run for a position on the IOC Athletes’ Commission has been approved by the IOC Executive Board.
Bermuda’s Julian Fletcher has been put forward by the Bermuda Olympic Association.
Four athletes on the Commission - chairperson Kirsty Coventry, co-chair Danka Barteková, France's Tony Estanguet, and James Tomkins of Australia, whose positions on the body carry automatic IOC membership - were due to be replaced this year.
In addition, an appointed member of the Commission, Stefan Holm of Sweden, was also set to end his term.
IOC President Bach announced the news during an online press conference following the Executive Board meeting.
"We had to address the situation regarding the five members of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, whose terms would have expired this year," he said.
"The Executive Board was of the unanimous opinion that in this critical time we need full representation of athletes and the athletes’ voice in this endeavor to organize the postponed Olympic Games.
"Therefore, we should not have any vacancies with regard to athletes' representation.
"The Board decided that the term of these five members would be extended until the end of the Olympic Games, now being celebrated in 2021.
"During these postponed Games we would have the regular elections for the replacement of these five members."
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