China's skating star Zhang Hong nominated for IOC Athletes Commission

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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board on Monday approved the candidatures of China's Olympic skating champion Zhang Hong for the IOC Athletes’ Commission elections, among five other candidates.

29-year-old Zhang, together with five other candidates, will stand for two places on the IOC Athletes' Commission.

The elections will be held during PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics next February.

Hong Zhang (middle) compete in the Women's Team Sprint during the ISU World Cup Speed Skating Finals at Thialf Ice Arena in Heerenveen, Netherlands, March 11, 2016. /VCG Photo

The candidates, who are from three continents and represent five different sports, were nominated by their respective National Olympic Committees.

Zhang claimed gold in the women's 1,000m speed skating at Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics and is a two-time World Sprint Championships medalist.

She also serves as one of Beijing's image ambassadors to bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Zhang Hong receives letters of appointment for Beijing's image ambassador to bid for the Winter Olympics, April 21, 2016. /VCG Photo

The other five candidates vying for two available positions are Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen of Norway (skiing/cross-country); Ander Mirambell of Spain (skeleton); Kikkan Randall of the United States (skiing/cross-country); Emma Terho of Finland (ice hockey), and Armin Zoeggeler of Italy (luge).

The two elected Olympians will become IOC members for an eight-year term.

Each country is only allowed one member of the IOC Athletes' Commission at one time, and every nation is free to propose a member except for those who have another representative already in the Commission.

China's short track speed skater Yang Yang won gold in the women's 500m speed skating at 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. /Xinhua Photo

China's short track speed skater Yang Yang was appointed a member of the Commission back in 2010. She is due to stand down next year.