Rolland elected to the International Olympic Committee

Rolland, 49, is one of the youngest International Federation presidents and he will become one of the younger members of the IOC. From France, Rolland has been the World Rowing Federation, FISA president since 2014. When he ran for FISA presidency, Rolland stated that one of his main goals was to keep rowing an Olympic sport. Rolland, an Olympic Champion in rowing from the Sydney 2000 Olympics, joins a number of IOC members who are former rowers.  

“I feel honoured to be part of such a prestigious organisation,” says Rolland. “I would very much like to thank all of those who trusted me and supported me to become an IOC member. It is a great responsibility to continue to serve the Olympic Movement and the sport of rowing.”

Along with Rolland, the IOC also elected former vice-president of FISA, Anita DeFrantz as an IOC vice-president. From the United States, DeFrantz rowed at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games – the first time women’s rowing was at the Olympic Games. She has held the IOC vice president position before; from 1997 to 2001.

Former FISA president Denis Oswald was voted in as a member of the IOC executive board. Oswald, from Switzerland, competed as a rower at three Olympic Games. He was FISA president from 1989 until 2014 when Rolland became president.

“I am also very happy with the election of Anita DeFrantz as vice president and Denis Oswald as member of the executive board,” says Rolland. “Rowing is well represented in the Olympic Movement and we know that this is important for our sport.”

The elections took place at the 2017 IOC Session held in Lima.