"These eight candidates that we are proposing to the next IOC Session are a strong and varied group of individuals that are experts in their respective fields and will make great contributions. They have been vetted by new criteria in keeping with the recommendations of Olympic Agenda 2020. These candidates will add extra strength and diversity to our already universal orchestra of IOC Members," IOC President Thomas Bach was quoted as saying in a statement.
According to the apex sporting body, the proposed candidatures represent a cross-section of expertise from the worlds of sport, culture, medicine, sociology, business, law and management. Gender equality is guaranteed with four women and four men on the list, the committee noted.
The women on the list include Sari Essayah from Finland, Auvita Rapilla from Papua New Guinea, Tricia Smith from Canada and Nita Ambani from India. The men on the list include Ivo Ferriani from Italy, Luis Moreno from Colombia, Anant Singh from South Africa and Karl Stoss from Austria.
Granting IOC membership to these individuals would bring the total number of members to 99. The IOC members are representatives of the IOC in their respective countries.
The election will be held at the 129th IOC Session in Rio de Janeiro on August 2-4.
