Scola appointed to IOC Athletes' Commission

LAUSANNE - One of Argentina's basketball greats, national team captain Luis Scola, has taken on another important role in the sports world.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has appointed the veteran power forward to its IOC Athletes' Commission.

An Olympic champion in 2004 and bronze medal winner four years later, Scola played at his fourth Summer Games this past summer in Rio de Janeiro. He made headlines with important plays as Argentina reached the Quarter-Finals.

Scola also showed great leadership when, before Argentina's pivotal Group Phase game against Brazil, he and Marcelo Huertas asked fans to keep everything in perspective during the latest showdown between the rivals.

Scola appealed to fans to show good sportsmanship in Rio

He explained after the game, a 111-107 Argentina victory, why he and Huertas had addressed the crowd.

"South America is a great place, it's fun, watching sports," he said. "The way we do sports is fun. We just cross the line sometimes. If we can stop right before the line, it's going to be the best show ever. It's going to be beautiful.

"We thought if we can make people understand that it is just a game, there's family there and all that. It's going to be much better for everybody."

The 36-year-old, who served as his country's flag-bearer in the opening ceremony, and three other Olympians have been added to the IOC Athletes' Commission.

The IOC said in a statement: "Reflecting the Olympic Agenda 2020 goal of placing the athletes at the heart of the Olympic Movement and strengthening the support to athletes, the IOC Athletes’ Commission serves as a link between athletes and the IOC, supporting them both on and off the field of play.

"Its goal is to ensure that the athletes' viewpoint remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement decisions. The Commission members are involved in many key IOC activities, including: the process for evaluating Candidate Cities seeking to host the Olympic Games; the composition of the sports programme for the Games; and the protection of clean sport."

FIBA