Olympics

Canada's Tricia Smith among 8 people elected as members of IOC

President of the Canadian Olympic Committee Tricia Smith was among eight individuals elected as members of the International Olympic Committee on Thursday.

COC president becomes 3rd Canadian to join International Olympic Committee

Canadian Olympic Committee president Tricia Smith, seen above in 2016, said on Friday the organization made an "ethical" decision to withdraw early from Tokyo 2020. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)

Tricia Smith has another job title.

The president of the Canadian Olympic Committee was among eight people elected as members of the International Olympic Committee on Thursday.

Smith becomes the third Canadian to serve on the IOC, joining six-time Olympian Hayley Wickenheiser and longtime member Dick Pound.

"It's an honour and tremendous opportunity to have been nominated and elected by the IOC," Smith said. "I look forward to working within the Movement and will continue to advocate for the true Olympic ideals and for sport that is clean, fair and executed with the utmost integrity."

Both Wickenheiser and Pound welcomed Smith into the IOC fold.

"I'm excited to have Tricia join myself and Dick as a member of the IOC," Wickenheiser said. "Canada has some of the best sporting leaders in the world and to have another Canadian in the mix is fantastic.

"Tricia is a strong, insightful leader and will bring wisdom and integrity to the table."

Added Pound: "Tricia is an outstanding Canadian leader and she will bring incredible experience and perspective to the IOC. Her tireless work in the sport world throughout her career is a testament to her passion and dedication and I have full confidence she will bring that same enthusiasm with her as we work together toward growing the Olympic movement."

The Canadian Press