Sports
19:59, 26-Feb-2018
Chinese speed skater Zhang Hong joins IOC Athletes' Commission
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After being nominated by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, 29-year-old Chinese speed skater Zhang Hong was elected to the IOC Athletes' Commission, following a vote in Pyeongchang on Sunday. Zhang will serve an eight-year term.
As the only speed skater on the commission, Zhang said she will serve as a "bridge" for athletes to be heard by the IOC.
China's gold medalist Zhang Hong poses with her medal during the Women's Speed Skating 1000 m Medal Ceremony at the Sochi medals plaza during the Sochi Winter Olympics on February 14, 2014. /VCG Photo
China's gold medalist Zhang Hong poses with her medal during the Women's Speed Skating 1000 m Medal Ceremony at the Sochi medals plaza during the Sochi Winter Olympics on February 14, 2014. /VCG Photo
The 29-year-old claimed China's first-ever gold medal in a long track event when she won the 1,000m final at the 2014 Sochi Games. She competed with injuries in PyeongChang but was unable to defend her title. The Heilongjiang native also served as an Image Ambassador in Beijing's bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Zhang joined the Athletes Commission just as Chinese compatriot Yang Yang ended her eight-year tenure. Yang won China's first-ever gold medal at the Winter Games –two short track titles in Salt Lake City in 2002. She said she will continue to work with other IOC sub-committees.