(ATR) Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva, banned from competing at Rio 2016, has been elected to the IOC Athletes Commission.
"I was preparing for these Olympics a long time and unfortunately I was not able to participate there for some reasons – today I was elected as an IOC athletes commission member. So it’s kind of compensation," Isinbayeva told reporters during a news conference at the Olympic village of Thursday.
The two-time Olympic pole champion was elected to an eight year term along with German Britta Heidemann (fencing), Korean Seug-min Ryu (table tennis) and Hungarian Daniel Gyurta (swimming) by their peers at the Rio 2016 Games.
"Today we won all together – thanks a lot to everyone," Isinbayeva said. "Now I will work very hard for the Olympic movement and of course I will protect the rights of clean athletes all over the world.".
Isinbayeva, 34, who has been highly outspoken and critical regarding the blanket ban of the Russian track and field program in Rio imposed by the IAAF, wouldn't answer any questions (in English) about matters beyond the athletes commission vote.
The three-time Olympic pole vault medalist and world record holder was fourth among the four athletes to be voted in with 1365 points. Twenty-three candidates from 23 countries were in the running with the official vote taking place in Rio on Wednesday.
The women’s pole vault final, without Isinbayeva in the field, takes place Friday night at the Olympic Stadium.
"Whoever wins the pole vault in Rio can only be second best," Isinbayeva said following the Court of Arbitration for Sport upholding the ban on all Russian track and field athletes.
Isinbayeva also tweeted: "There was hope and now it is dashed. Let all those pseudo clean foreign sportsmen breathe a sigh a relief and go out and win their pseudo gold medals in our absence. They always did fear strength."
Isinbayeva is scheduled to host a press conference on Friday afternoon at the Main Press Center in Rio.
Written by Brian Pinelliin Rio de Janeiro, with reporting from Bob Mackin at the Olympic Village
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