Turin (pps) None of the three luge athletes who had run for the election to the Athletes Commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has been successful.
Out of 15 candidates, Canada’s Beckie Scott (cross-country, 449 votes) and Finland’s ice hockey player Saki Koivu (412) prevailed in the fight for the two available seats. Georg Hackl from Germany gathered 316 votes and respectably finished fifth.
The two other luge athletes Mark Hatton (GBR) and Ruben Gonzales (ARG) did not reach the top ranks.
Twelve IOC positions are reserved for athletes, eight for summer sports athletes and four for winter sports athletes. The term of office is eight years. Beckie Scott won the silver medal in the 2006 team sprint competition after winning gold in pursuit in 2002. Saku Koivu, striker of the Montreal Canadiens, will play in the semi-finals together with his Finnish team in Turin.