The 34-year-old three-time Olympian, also a winner of world indoor and outdoor titles and two Commonwealth Games gold medals, was chosen by his fellow Athletes’ Commission members

Rio 2016 rowing champion and former chair Kim Brennan will serve as his deputy.

"It’s an honour to have been selected as the chair," said Hooker following a first meeting.

"This is a group of passionate athletes that I’m proud to be a part of and I know we’re all motivated to achieve a lot over the next term."

The Commission seeks to play an important role in providing advice to the AOC Executive on all matters relating to the Olympic Movement from an athlete’s perspective.

Hooker was first elected after competing at his third and final Olympic Games at London 2012.

He believes the group of athletes are crucial in providing a voice for Olympic athletes past and present.

"We’ve achieved some great things over the past four years and I think the fact we have a number of athletes returning to the Commission will be great for continuity," he said. 

"This will help us with the implementation of those tasks already in the works, such as an athlete-career transition program that will be run by the AOC, while we are also keen to shift our focus to other areas of improvement as well."

Hooker and Brennan are joined on the panel by another pole vaulter, Alana Boyd, as well as a second rower, James Tomkins, a member of the IOC Athletes' Commission.

Also present are swimmer Cate Campbell, freestyle skiers Ramone Cooper and Lydia Lassila and canoe sprinter Ken Wallace.

Canoe slalom athlete Jessica Fox and boxer Shelley Watts were also elected as new member after Rio 2016, alongside hockey player Jamie Dwyer.

Hooker's election continues a growing trend of pole vaulters playing leading roles in sports administration.

Ukraine's outdoor world record holder Sergey Bubka is a member of the IOC Executive Board, while Russia's Yelena Isinbayeva was elected as an IOC Athletes' Commission member during Rio 2016.

"I was very pleased to receive the news of Steve’s appointment by his colleagues," said AOC President John Coates.

"His profile as an Olympic gold medallist is great for both the Commission and the AOC Executive of which he now becomes a full voting member of. 

"I’m confident in his leadership skills and that he will make a key contribution in all of the activities of the AOC."