The underlying principle of all my promises when I was seeking election to this important role was of to ensure that IBSA was ‘athlete-centered’ in all its decisions and actions. Every sport organization has this as a stated undertaking: delivery of what that means often follows in a much slower time line. One of our first actions in the weeks since the Fatima elections was to use these World Games as an opportunity for the new Executive Board to demonstrate its commitment to this important principle.

And so for the first time the Board agreed that there would be Athletes Committee elections at these World Games and that from the three successful candidates they would choose a Chair person from their numbers. That new athletes’ leader would take their place on the IBSA Executive Board to bring that important perspective into the discussions and future decisions.

Five candidates were proposed from the IBSA Member nations. The three successful candidates were –
Iida Kauppila. Finland
Daniel Powell. Great Britain
Sela Odhiambo. Kenya

And while I am pleased and thankful to BBS and its partners for a great World Games I have to say that these elections and what they signal give me as President immense pleasure. I thank my colleagues and all those who helped to make this happen. If we needed anything to maintain the momentum created by these days in Birmingham having an athlete sit with us on the Board was exactly what was required.

We will announce who is the new athlete Board member as soon as the decision is known.