Important role for the Turkish Olympic medalist Taha Akgul

Turkish Olympic Committee has appointed the Rio 2016 Olympic and two-time world champion wrestler Taha Akgül as the new chair of their Athletes’ Commission. 26-year-old Akgül, who competes in the 125 kg category, will now also serve as Executive Board Member during his four-year term from 2017 to 2021.

The TOC’s Athletes’ Commission is a body of 70 current athletes who have been nominated by their respective National Federations. The TOC is one of the Olympic Committees leading the way in emphasising gender equality, reflected by the even split of 35 male and 35 female members on the Commission. The purpose of the Athletes’ Commission is to provide Turkish athletes with a platform for dialogue with the TOC, as well as acting as role models to promote the Olympic values among Turkey’s youth and the wider population.