The Athlete Council aims to explore the ideas and concerns of national team members involved in Commonwealth sports with the ultimate goal of enhancing their overall Games experience moving forward.

"As Council members, we've all gained in tangible and significant ways from competing at the Commonwealth Games," said Weckend-Dill, a former swimmer and triathlete who was last year appointed to the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Executive Board as the Athlete Representative.

"Our job now is to ensure the athlete perspective is kept front and centre so that these Games continue to provide a unique, world-class experience."

Weckend-Dill is joined on the Athlete Council by Commonwealth Games hammer throw silver medallist Jennifer Joyce (pictured below), three-time Commonwealth Games Para-swimming medallist Benoît Huot, Commonwealth Games cycling competitor Erinne Willock and Commonwealth Games field hockey player Philip Wright.

The move to set up the Athlete Council has been praised by the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee, who are proactively looking for athlete input to ensure the Commonwealth Games in Scotland delivers maximum value.

"Commonwealth Games Canada's new Athlete Council is a welcome and exciting development for athletes and sport in Canada," said Glasgow 2014's Director of Games Family Relations Kate Randall.


"The team at Glasgow 2014 is committed to delivering a Commonwealth Games that is athlete centred and sport focused and we look forward to working positively with CGC and their Athlete Council to ensure Canadian athletes, along with athletes from across the Commonwealth, enjoy an outstanding Games experience in Scotland."

The Athlete Council will provide input on athlete agreements, team selection policy and athlete advocacy related to the Commonwealth Games in addition to marketing, fundraising and communications activities.

It is set to provide a boost to Canada's imminent bid for the 2022 Commonwealth Games with the CGF keen to take the competition to cities that provide an "athlete-centred" Games.

"Time and again, I hear from Canadian Olympians and world champions who believe their Commonwealth Games experience helped determine their later success against the world's best athletes," added CGC President Dr Andrew Pipe.

"If we are to continue enhancing that experience, we must be intentional about seeking regular, direct input from our top summer sport athletes.

"The Athlete Advisory Council will play a pivotal role in achieving this objective."

Members of the Athlete Advisory Council are appointed to the committee by the Athlete Representative for four-year terms ending with the last Annual General Meeting of the quadrennial.

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