Prezelj to chair IAAF Athletes' Commission

Slovenian high-jumper Rozle Prezelj has been elected the new chairman of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Athletes' Commission.

The 36-year-old, a three-time Olympian and a European Under-23 champion in 2001, will replace Namibian Frank Fredericks with immediate effect after a meeting of the commission here on Saturday, reports Xinhua.

"I'm most gratified by this show of confidence from my fellow commission members for entrusting me with this big responsibility in these challenging times to represent the athlete community," said Prezelj, who set a national record of 2.32 metres in 2012 before retiring in 2014.

"I will do my very best to justify their trust as chairperson. In taking over from Frank Fredericks, I wish to thank him for his tireless commitment as an ambassador for athletes."

Britain's marathon world record-holder Paula Radcliffe was nominated vice-chairwoman of the commission.

Fredericks, who reached the end of his term as chair of the Athletes' Commission, is also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and has been named as chairman of the IOC's Evaluation Commission for the 2024 Olympic Games bidding race earlier this week.

The meeting, with IAAF president Sebastian Coe and general secretary Jean Cracia in attendance, discussed topics like how the athletes' voice can be fully heard, while the creation of a strong Athlete Code was proposed whereby all clean athletes would be encouraged to show solidarity.