Jamaican spriner Michael Frater who was not elected by his peers in August for a place on the IAAF Athletes’ Commission has now been appointed by IAAF Council.
Frater, who is also second vice president of the Jamaica Administrative Athletics Association (JAAA), was confirmed on the Athletes’ Commission at Thursday's (26 November) IAAF Council Meeting.
The IAAF Athletes’ Commission is made up of 18 members, 12 of whom are elected by their peers and six appointed by the IAAF.
Frater took silver in the 100m at the 2005 IAAF World Championships in Helsinki. After finishing sixth in that event at the 2008 Olympics, Frater formed part of the victorious Jamaican 4x100m team, setting a world record of 37.10. He took further 4x100m gold medals at the 2009 and 2011 World Championships and the 2012 Olympics, setting two more world records in the process.
The other new members who have been appointed to join the Athletes’ Commission for the period 2016-2019 are Fabiana Murer (BRA), Paula Radcliffe (GBR), Alina Talay (BLR), Ashton Eaton (USA) and Ezekiel Kemboi (KEN).
A new chairperson will be decided by the commission when they hold their next meeting in January/February 2016 (date tbc.). Frank Fredericks, the out-going chairperson, will continue in an honorary capacity to assist the commission during the transition and in their general contact with the IAAF Council.
IAAF President Sebastian Coe commented: “I welcome the new members who joined the Athletes’ Commission today at a challenging time for our sport. Together our task is to respond to those challenges and rebuild trust in the integrity of competition supporting the aspirations and dreams of the athletes. I would like to express my great appreciation for the continued support and advice given by the commission and its chairperson Frank Fredericks.”
IAAF Athletes’ Commission Chairperson Frank Fredericks commented: “Our commission is composed of a mixture of current and recently retired international athletes from the six continental areas. Today’s six new members will be a huge asset adding to the wide range of experience and knowledge already in the commission. We are working together with Sebastian Coe, united in our resolve to clean up athletics for the sake of the vast majority of clean athletes.”
