Former world 100m champion Kim Collins of St Kitts-Nevis is running for one of six places on the IAAF Athletes’ Commission in an election period which will run until August 12.

All athletes who are accredited for this year’s World Championships which begin on Friday are eligible to vote.

The IAAF Athletes’ Commission represents the link between athletes and the governing body, ensuring the voice of the athletes is heard and fed into decision-making processes.

Fifteen athletes have been nominated for this year’s elections. To be eligible for nomination, athletes must have participated in at least one of the past two editions of the World Championships or in the most recent Olympic Games or be a competitor at this year’s IAAF World Championships.

The other candidates include Ivana Spanovic of Serbia; Angel David Rodriguez of Spain;

Periklis Iakovakis of Greece; Yipsi Moreno of Cuba; Thomas Rohler of Germany, and Benita Willis of Austria.

DIRECT INFLUENCE

IAAF President Sebastian Coe commented: “The stature of the candidates who have put their names forward is impressive. I have always believed athletes are central to the organisation and would like more involvement from them at every level of the sport and in all decision-making forums. I added the Chair of the Athletes’ Commission to the IAAF Council early in my presidency which gives the commission substantial direct influence and Rozle Prezelj has offered excellent insight and advice to us during his time as Chair.”

The Athletes’ Commission is currently composed of 19 members, 12 of whom are elected by their fellow athletes and seven are appointed by IAAF Council.

The names of the six elected members of the commission will be announced before the end of the championships and they will begin their mandate on January 1, 2018.