Pictured (from left to right): Tõnu Tõniste, Tõnu Endrekson, Irina Embrich, Erki Nool, Jüri Tamm. Photo by Raul Mee / NOC
Urmas Sõõrumaa, the
president of the Estonian Olympic Committee, said he was glad to see the
addition to the NOC. “As the umbrella organisation for Estonian sports, we are
to ensure that our members are the broadest and most worthy representation of
sport. Our new members have earned their status with honour and are bringing new energy into
the organisation,” Sõõrumaa said.
Estonian Casting Association was accepted as a new organizational member of the NOC. Casting involves competitions in spinning reel and fly casting for accuracy and distance. The individuals confirmed as new NOC members are World Champion fencer Irina Embrich and two-time Olympic medallist, rower Tõnu Endrekson, as well as decathlon Olympic champion Erki Nool, hammer throw two-time Olympic bronze medallist Jüri Tamm and sailing Olympic silver and bronze medallist Tõnu Tõniste, who have made remarkable contribution to the development of sports and Olympic movements. The two latter are also currently serving as Vice Presidents of the NOC.
The General Assembly stripped Mati Alaver and Andrus Veerpalu of their NOC membership. The General Assembly also gave final approval to Mati Alaver’s resignation from the Executive Board; he had officially remained on the Board to that moment.
Kristjan Port was elected a new member of the Executive Board, which is the NOC management organ. “The Estonian sports organisation is like a good athlete and being on the Executive Board feels like being a part of a joined effort,” Port said.
Pictured: Kristjan Port. Photo by Raul Mee / NOC
The NOC president, Urmas Sõõrumaa, welcomed Kristjan Port as a part of his team. “His remarkably broad knowledge of sport and combatting against doping as well as his properly aligned moral compass are especially important, considering the circumstances,” Sõõrumaa said.
The General Assembly is the highest governing body of the NOC. The General Assembly is held at least once a year, in spring, and also in the autumn of the year when the Summer Olympics take place. All NOC member can participate and vote in the General Assembly, each member having one vote.