China's Wang Nan becomes first Asian woman to join IAAF council
Sports Scene
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A man casts his shadow following a press conference by Sebastian Coe, IAAF's president, as part of the 203nd IAAF council meeting in Monaco, March 11, 2016. /VCG Photo

A man casts his shadow following a press conference by Sebastian Coe, IAAF's president, as part of the 203nd IAAF council meeting in Monaco, March 11, 2016. /VCG Photo

Chinese Athletics Association (CAA) vice director Wang Nan became the first Asian woman to be elected a council member at the 52nd International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) congress in Doha on Wednesday. 

"I consider the successful election as a recognition from the world athletics family for China. In the future, the CAA will keep fulfilling its obligation and honoring its commitment while better communicating with world athletics and raising the level of the sport in China," Wang said after her historic election to the elite council of international track and field body.  

Over 500 representatives from 206 membership countries and regions attended the congress and Wang collected 122 out of 206 votes.    

Former Olympic runner and UK track and field legend Sebastian Coe was reelected unopposed to serve a second term as president. 

Ximena Restrepo was voted the first female vice president of the IAAF. The congress also extended the ban against Russia over alleged widespread doping which means its athletes must compete as neutrals for a second straight world championships.