The Canadian former gymnast, who has been on the FIG Executive Committee since 1992 and is also chair of the world governing body's Media and Communication Commission, was delighted by the move.

"I am very pleased and honoured to accept the nomination to the Women and Sport Commission," Corn said.

"I will do my best to further the efforts of women in sport very actively."

Corn is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of women's sport in Canada and played a key role in the creation of the FIG Academy Programme, which is an international coaching education system that helps experienced coaches share their knowledge in countries that are trying to develop their gymnastics set-ups.

Burundi's Lydia Nsekera became chair of the IOC Women and Sport Commission when she replaced American Anita DeFrantz in April this year ©Getty Images



Last year she was awarded Gymnastics Canada's Dr Gene Sutton Memorial Award for her long-term commitment to the sport and she was named on the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity's Most Influential Women List in both 2008 and 2006.

She will now work on the Commission under chair Lydia Nsekera, and alongside members such as International Equestrian Federation President Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, IOC vice-president Nawal El Moutawakel and Chinese Olympic speed skating champion Yang Yang to advise the IOC Executive Board on promoting women in sport.

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