Simmonds Named Boa Athletes’ Vice Chair

Two-time Olympic swimmer Lizzie Simmonds has been elected Vice Chair of the British Olympic Association’s Athletes’ Commission (BOA AC), the organisation has announced.

The backstroke specialist, a former European champion, was voted to serve a two-year term in the role at a meeting of the Commission in London.
  
The 28-year-old, who has been a member of the BOA AC since November 2016, will support Chair Ben Hawes with the leadership and strategic direction of the Commission and will also act as an athlete representative on the BOA’s National Olympic Committee (NOC).

Commenting on the appointment, BOA AC Chair Ben Hawes said: “Lizzie is extremely passionate about supporting the athlete community and has played an active and engaged role on the Athletes’ Commission for the past two years. I look forward to working with her to continue to drive an athlete centric agenda within the BOA and the Olympic family. 
 
Simmonds added: “Since being elected onto the BOA Athletes’ Commission in 2016 I have relished the opportunity to use my own experience and the athlete perspective to promote and support the BOA’s mission and I am delighted that I have been voted by my fellow Athletes’ Commission members to the role of Vice Chair. I look to forward to working with Ben and the Commission to ensure that the interests of Team GB athletes remain at the forefront of decision-making at the BOA for Tokyo 2020 and beyond.”  
  
The Vice Chair’s term will run for two years from January 2019 to December 2020, with an opportunity for re-election for one further two-year term.