Hartung elected to International Olympic Committee 2016 Coordination Commission

Chairman of the Australian Sports Commission Board Greg Hartung

14 Jan 2010

Greg Hartung, president of the Australian Paralympic Committee and chairman of the Australian Sports Commission Board, and his Olympic counterpart John Coates have been announced as representatives of the Coordination Commission for the Rio de Janerio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Mr Hartung, vice-president of the International Paralympic Committee, will act as the Paralympic representative on the Commission. The Commission will be responsible for assisting the Rio 2016 Organising Committee in the lead up to the Games, as well as monitoring the progress of preparations.

Mr Hartung, who was also a member of the 2016 International Olympic Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commission, said he was looking forward to working with the Coordination Commission to help ensure Rio Janerio delivers memorable Olympic and Paralympic Games.

‘I am proud to be appointed to this Commission alongside such a knowledgeable and immensely experienced team,’ Mr Hartung said.

‘I’m also particularly pleased that John Coates has been appointed. To have two Australians on the Commission is a reflection of the high regard in which Australian sport is held internationally.’

The Commission will be chaired by IOC member and 1984 Olympic Games gold medallist Nawal El Moutawakel. It is composed of 17 delegates from five continents who currently represent the IOC and various national Olympic committees and international sports federations.

‘Nawal El Moutawakel is ideally suited to lead our highly experienced and multifaceted team of experts,’ said IOC President Jacques Rogge.

‘As an Olympic gold medallist and Chair of the IOC Evaluation Committee for the last two Olympiads, she knows the Games inside and out, is well-acquainted with the Rio organisers and has the experience and leadership abilities to ensure that Rio is 100 per cent ready to host a fantastic Games in 2016.’