Webb, who won gold in the Yngling class at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, is joined by rower Katharine Grainger, a triple silver medallist, and curler Jackie Lockhart and swimmer Karen Pickering, who have both competed in four Games.

Grainger said: "I am delighted to be elected by my fellow athletes to the BOA Athletes’ Commission.

"I look forward to being a voice for all the other athletes and delivering insights and knowledge from my experience as a medallist at the last three Olympic Games to the BOA in order to help make the London 2012 Olympics a huge success for everyone involved with Team GB."

Skeleton's Adam Pengilly, elected as Britain's fourth International Olympic Committee (IOC) member during the Winter Games in Vancouver earlier this year, will also sit on the Commission.

In total, the members comprise a mix of 10 summer and four winter Olympians, with 12 different sport disciplines represented.

They were selected from 33 athletes from 16 sports who put themselves forward for election.

They were elected by not only current athletes on the World Class Performance Pathway, but also Olympians who have competed for Britain since 1998.

Members will serve an initial term through to December 2012.

Nine of the athletes are still active competitors aiming for London 2012 or Sochi 2014, while five have retired within the last two Olympiads.

The Athletes’ Commission collectively accounts for eight British Olympic medals in four sports.

Other members include Kate Allenby, a bronze medallist in the Modern Pentathlon at Sydney in 2000, and diver Leon Taylor, who won a silver medal in synchronised diving at Athens in 2004. 

Pickering, who is now retired is the chairman of the British Athletes Commission (BAC), an independent group who campaign on behalf of Britain's elite competitors, said: "I’m very pleased to be elected to the new BOA Athletes’ Commission.

"The set-up of this Commission is another very positive step for the BOA and I look forward to bringing my experience as chair of the BAC to this board and continuing to play my part in providing the athlete perspective as we enter the exciting final two year countdown to London 2012.”

The Commission will be responsible for feeding the views of the country's athletes into the BOA Board, of which Winckless  is a member.

Other members of the Commission elected are hockey player Ben Hawes, athletes Emily Freeman and Goldie Sayers, bobsleigher Henry Nwume, figure skater John Kerr and cyclist Sara Symington.

Sayers (pictured) said: "Being part of Team GB at the Olympic Games is a unique and special experience for an athlete. 

"I’m passionate about helping the BOA to ensure London 2012 is the best possible Olympic Games for the athletes and that they are met with the most memorable and enjoyable experience possible.”

Andy Hunt, the chief executive of the BOA, said: "I am very pleased that the composition of the new BOA Athletes’ Commission reflects such a great wealth and diversity of Olympic experience.

"The calibre of athletes who put themselves forward is a tribute to the determination of British athletes to support their fellow Team GB Olympians.

"The BOA will benefit greatly from the insights and perspective delivered by the members of the Athletes’ Commission and I look forward to welcoming their input at BOA Board level through the Commission Chair, Sarah Winckless."

The 45-year-old Lockhart, who has won three medals in the World Championship, including gold in 2002, said: "As one of Team GB’s most experienced winter athletes, having competed at four Olympic Winter Games, I am very pleased to have the opportunity to pass on my experience and advice to the BOA to help British athletes fulfil their potential in London 2012, Sochi 2014 and beyond.

"As an athlete, even small changes can make a big difference."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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