Nita Ambani nominated to International Olympic Committee

Nita Ambani, founder and chairperson of Reliance Foundation, has been nominated as a candidate to be a new member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland on Friday. The International Olympic Committee is the supreme authority of the Olympic Movement.

This move on the part of IOC qualifies her to be the first ever Indian woman to have been nominated for this position.

The election will be held at the 129th IOC Session which will take place in Rio de Janeiro between August 2 and 4, 2016. The independent selection process follows a new procedure for recruitment of IOC members based on the Olympic Agenda 2020 recommendations. Once elected as a member, Ambani will continue to be associated to IOC until the age of 70.

The passionate philanthropist has worked towards promoting various sports in the country focusing on developing talent at the grassroots-level. The programmes initiated by Ambani, have reached out to over 30 lakh children in the country.

The IOC ensures the celebration of the Olympic Games, supports associated member organisations and strongly encourages the promotion of the Olympic values.

Indian Olympic Association Secretary General Rajeev Mehta too expressed his pleasure over the occasion.

Mehta told PTI, "We are extremely happy at the nomination of Nita Ambani. It will raise the status of India in the eyes of the sporting world, as a proud nation in the Olympic movement. It will also raise the profile and awareness of Olympic movement and Olympic sports within the country. We welcome the move by the IOC."

Other Indians who have represented India at the IOC includes Late Sir Dorabji Tata and Raja Randhir Singh who is currently an honorary member of the IOC.