Olympics:Irishman and Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) president Pat McQuaid has been elected as a member of the International Olympic Committee after being voted in at the 122nd IOC session held prior this evening's opening of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.
McQuaid joins Pat Hickey as a member, and follows in the footsteps of former UCI president Hein Verbruggen in becoming part of the IOC.
The 60-year-old Dubliner will continue in his current role with the UCI after being elected to stand for another four years in September.
“I am deeply honoured to be elected as one of the IOC members and to represent and promote the interests of the IOC and Olympic Movement, in Ireland and elsewhere throughout the world,” McQuaid said after he joined the other 114 members.
“I look forward to working with its President, Jacques Rogge and its members and to building upon the productive relations that I have already established with the IOC through my role as President of the UCI.”
Rogge congratulated McQuaid on his appointment, and said that the IOC would benefit.
“I am very happy to have Pat McQuaid on board the IOC. As a former cyclist Pat knows the sport inside out and has done a tremendous job since his election at the head of the UCI. He has been instrumental in strengthening the reputation of the federation and rejuvenating the cycling programme at the Olympic Games.
“He brings a great expertise and we look forward to working with him in the future.”