Allyson Felix Elected to IOC at Paris Olympics

PARIS (AP) — In a significant achievement for the world of athletics, seven-time Olympic gold medalist Allyson Felix has been elected to represent athletes on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the next eight years. Felix garnered the highest number of votes, securing 2,880 out of 6,576 ballots cast by fellow athletes during the Paris Olympics. This election marks a pivotal moment in her post-competitive career, as she joins a select group of athletes tasked with voicing the concerns and interests of their peers within the IOC. Alongside Felix, three other athletes were elected from a competitive slate of 32 candidates. They include Germany's gymnast Kim Bui, Australian canoeist Jessica Fox—who recently won two gold medals in Paris—and New Zealand tennis player Marcus Daniell. The newly elected members will replace four current athlete representatives, including Yelena Isinbayeva, the renowned Russian pole vault world record holder, who were initially elected during the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. The IOC comprises a maximum of 115 members, which includes a diverse array of individuals such as members of royal families, heads of state, former government officials, sports executives, and even Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh. The responsibilities of these members include making crucial decisions at annual meetings, such as approving candidates for future Olympic host cities. Felix's election is seen as a step forward for athlete representation within the IOC, highlighting the importance of their voices in shaping the future of the Olympic movement.