Former British & Irish Lions tourist and coach Sir Clive Woodward has been selected by the International Olympic Committee to serve on its newly formed Entourage Commission as a representative of all 205 National Olympic Committees.
The Commission, chaired by 1988 pole vault Olympic Champion Sergey Bubka, is responsible for addressing matters relating to coaches, trainers and the athletes’ support team in general.
It was set-up following a recommendation by the Olympic Congress in Copenhagen in October 2009, which Woodward, currently the British Olympic Association’s Director of Olympic Performance, attended.
“It is a great honour and privilege to be invited to become a member the IOCs’ Entourage Commission. I am looking forward to working alongside great Olympians such as Sergey Bubka, to deliver insights and recommendations in the interests of serving the coaches, trainers and support staff of athletes,” said Woodward.
“Through my work with the Olympic Coaching Programme we have identified that behind every truly great athlete is a world class coach and support staff. The Entourage Commission will play a crucial role in focussing on the development and endeavours of the ‘team behind the athlete’, and I am delighted to offer my expertise, particularly on matters relating to coaching, to the IOC.”
Woodward made 17 appearances over two tours with the Lions – 1980 in South Africa and 1983 in New Zealand – and featured in two Tests in South Africa. He won 21 caps for England.
He was England’s head coach from 1997 to 2004 and steered Martin Johnson’s side to World Cup glory in 2003. He then coached the Lions in New Zealand in 2005.
He joined the British Olympic Association in September 2006 and was Team GB’s Deputy Chef de Mission at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
