19th October 2020

DOUGLAS, GEMILI, TWELL AND WALLACE ELECTED TO THE UK ATHLETICS ATHLETES' COMMISSION

Nathan Douglas, Adam Gemili, Steph Twell and Vanessa Wallace have been elected to the UK Athletics Athletes’ Commission and will serve a minimum two-year term.

Vanessa Wallace is re-elected to the Commission; she was first elected in 2018. The Enfield and Haringey athlete is a world bronze medallist and European champion in the F34 shot put, and balances her full-time athletics with studying Sports and Exercise Science at the University of East London.

Adam Gemili joins the Commission, following his spell as an Ex-Officio member. The 27-year-old is an Olympic and world finalist over 200m, 4x100m relay gold medallist from the IAAF World Championships in 2017, and a four-time senior European champion.

Multiple British champion and two-time European silver medallist in the triple jump, Nathan Douglas, has been elected for the first time. As has Steph Twell, European and Commonwealth medallist on the track and a prolific European champion on the cross-country circuit.

Hannah England, Chair of the UK Athletics Athletes’ Commission, said:

“The Athletes’ Commission is delighted to welcome new members Adam, Nathan, and Steph, and congratulate Vanessa on being re-elected for a second term. We were so glad to see the quality and quantity of applicants this year and to see the voting numbers rise in this, our second, election. This high engagement further emphasises the importance of the athlete voice in our sport. We look forward to working hard to continue our representation of our athlete community and collaborating with UK Athletics and the HCAFs to create the best possible environment for welfare and performance.

“Lastly, on behalf of the Commission, I would like to thank departing members, Abdul Buhari, John Pares and Richard Yates, for their time and energy over the first three years of the UKAAC.”

Joanna Coates, CEO of UK Athletics, added:

“Congratulations to Adam, Nathan and Steph on their election, and Vanessa on her re-election, to the UK Athletics Athletes’ Commission. These four individuals join at an incredibly important time for the sport. Working alongside Hannah and the other members, their insight will be invaluable as we continue to strive to amplify the voices of our athletes across the sport.

“We are committed to putting athletes at the heart of what we do, and I look forward to working with all members of the Commission to achieve that goal in the years ahead.”

Hannah England remains the chair of the Commission, while Holly Bradshaw, Ashley Bryant, Dan Greaves, Andrew Heyes, Stephen Miller, Naomi Ogbeta and Richard Whitehead complete the 12-strong Commission.

Full Terms of Reference for Commission membership.

Read more information on the UKA Athletes’ Commission, here.