By Nick Butler at the Main Press Centre in Sochi

Germany's Claudia Bokel has been re-appointed chairman of the IOC Athletes Commission after first being appointed during London 2012 ©Getty ImagesFebruary 3 - Claudia Bokel has been re-elected chair of the IOC Athletes' Commission after a meeting here today.


Bokel, a former epee fencer who won an individual gold medal at the 2001 World Championships before taking an Olympic team silver medal at Athens 2004, will continue the role for a further two years after being initially appointed during London 2012.

As a consequence of being re-elected she will also remain a member of the IOC Executive Board. 

"I would like to thank my colleagues for their trust in my work, and am looking forward to continuing my mission of bringing athletes' views to the attention of the right people in the Olympic Movement," the 40-year-old said following her re-election.

"It is great to know that I can count on the continued support and valuable input of my Commission members for this important task".

Bokel's re-election is a further boost for Germany and fencing following the appointment of another former fencer - Thomas Bach - as IOC President last year. 

In a move which seemed fitting given that the meeting took place here ahead of a Winter Olympic Games, the United States ice hockey legend Angela Ruggiero was elected vice-chairman, replacing Britain's Adam Pengilly. 

Ruggiero was part of the US team which won gold at Nagano 1998 - one of four Olympic medals - and has played more games for the US national team than any other man or woman in history.

Angela Ruggiero, pictured with Claudia Bokel, was appointed vice-chairman to create a strong female presence on the IOC Athletes Commission ©IOCAngela Ruggiero, pictured with Claudia Bokel, was appointed vice-chairman to create a strong female presence on the IOC Athletes Commission ©IOC


With the eight-year mandates of two other Athletes Commission members - Canada's Rebecca Scott and Finland's Saku Koivu -  coming to an end, all athletes participating in the Games are encouraged to vote for two new additions due to be announced on February 20.

The all-star list of nine contenders is headed by Norwegian biathlete Ole Einar Bjørndalen, winner of 11 Olympic medals, including six gold, as well as another ice hockey player, Canada's triple Olympic champion Hayley Wickenheiser.

Italy's four-time cross country skiing medallist Pietro Piller-Cottrer is also named along with four other Olympic medal winners in Belarus's Darya Domracheva, Finland's Tanja Poutiainen, Switzerland's Didier Cuche and Czech Republic's Sarka Zahrobska.

Competing the line-up are two Alpine skiers in Croatia's Ana Jelušić and Austria's Kilian Albrecht.

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