COC president Tricia Smith nominated to be IOC member

Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) president Tricia Smith was nominated Friday to serve as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The Vancouver-based lawyer and businesswoman is a four-time Olympian in rowing. Smith won silver at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles.

Smith, who was named COC president last November, spoke to CBC News' Heather Hiscox on the mounting concerns surrounding this summer's Olympics in Rio.

Interview with Canadian Olympic Committee President Tricia Smith: Part 2

8 years ago

Duration 6:05

CBC News' Heather Hiscox discusses doping and whether Russia should be allowed to compete in Rio

Hiscox later asked the IOC nominee about recent doping scandals as well as Smith's thoughts on dealing with the countries implicated.

If elected in August at the IOC session meeting in Rio, she will serve alongside Canadians Hayley Wickenheiser and Dick Pound.

"It's an unexpected honour to be nominated to serve as a member of the International Olympic Committee," Smith said in a statement. "I believe very strongly in all that is positive about the Olympic Games and the Olympic ideals and at the same time understand fully the challenges the Olympic movement has faced and is facing.

"It is a privilege to be considered to play this important role alongside my two Canadian colleagues Hayley and [Dick]."

Smith, 59, was one of the following eight candidates nominated by the IOC Executive Council:

• Sari Essayah (Finland)

• Ivo Ferriani (Italy)

• Luis Moreno (Colombia)

• Auvita Rapilla (Papua New Guinea)

• Anant Singh (South Africa)

• Karl Stoss (Austria)

• Nita Ambani (India)