Valerie Adams elected as World Athletics Athletes’ Commission Chair

New Zealand athletics icon Dame Valerie Adams has been elected as World Athletics Athletes' Commission chair following the first meeting of its membership this week.

The double Olympic shot put gold medallist and eight time world champion (four outdoors and four indoors) is serving her third term on the World Athletics Athletes' Commission.

She was elected as deputy chair in 2019.

The election of Dame Valerie further cements her rising influence in global athletics. She also currently serves as chair of the Oceania Athletics Athletes' Commission and was the former chair of the Athletics NZ Athletes' Commission.

Elected to the World Athletics Athletes' Commission as chair will ensure Valerie will also continue to be one of two athlete representatives on the World Athletics Council.

Both the chair and deputy chair of the World Athletics Athletes' Commission are full voting members of the sport's decision-making body.

Canadian 3000 metres steeplechase record-holder Matthew Hughes was elected as deputy chair of the World Athletics Athletes' Commission.

The 26-member Council also includes a second Kiwi, former Athletics NZ Board Chair Annette Purvis, who secured election in Budapest in August.

RNZ