Bangkok, Thailand, July 7, 2023: Athletes at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou will participate in a historic process when they elect 10 members of the Olympic Council of Asia Athletes’ Committee.
The 80th OCA Executive Board Meeting at the Centara Grand Hotel in Bangkok on Friday, July 7, was informed that, for the first time in the history of the Asian Olympic Movement, an election will be held to represent athletes across the region.
Mikako Kotani, Chair of the OCA Athletes’ Committee, told the OCA EB Meeting that 15,000 athletes at the Asian Games from September 23 to October 8 will be eligible to vote for their 10 representatives – two athletes each (one male and one female) from East Asia, South Asia, South East Asia, Central Asia and West Asia.
“The election will be held at the Athletes Village in Hangzhou and other sub-villages. This will be a historic event as for the first time we will have elected members on the Athletes’ Committee,” Ms. Kotani explained.
The decision to have an election for the Athletes’ Committee was taken at the OCA/Olympic Solidarity Athletes Forum on March 18-19 in Bangkok where a total of 89 participants – 46 male and 43 female – from 44 National Olympic Committees were represented.
In her report to the Executive Board on Friday, Ms. Kotani revealed the criteria for candidates: be at least 18 years of age, be an active athlete at the 19th Hangzhou Asian Games, be nominated by the NOC and to be able to communicate effectively in English.
The OCA will invite NOCs to submit the names of suitable candidates no less than 45 days before the date of the elections.
It was also revealed that the OCA AC election will be held every four years – during an Asian Games. The election phase will commence one day after the Opening Ceremony and end two days before the Closing Ceremony. The two athletes from each zone who obtain the highest number of votes shall be elected as members of the OCA AC.
Regulations also state that there must be no more than one elected member from each sport.