Namibia’s Gaby Ahrens has expressed gratitude about her appointment as ambassador to International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) president Luciano Rossi.
Ahrens, who is also the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa chairperson, says she is delighted with her latest role.
A retired three-time Olympian is also vice chairperson of the Namibia National Olympic Committee and serves in the same capacity on the World Anti-Doping Association Athletes’ Council.
“Deeply honoured by ISSF during the Paris Olympic Games. Thankful to be given the opportunity to deliver the athletes perspective from Africa to the @issf_official community in Chauteroux,” Ahrens posted on her Facebook page yesterday.
“And, to be appointed as the ambassador to the ISSF president is exciting. I am so happy to once again be close to the sport which impacted my life so tremendously. Let’s get to work!”
She is part of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Commission (AC) which recently met with the IOC executive board to discuss athlete representation and the support available to them at the Paris Games.
The AC serves as a link between the athletes and the IOC and has the leading role with athletes and with the Olympic Movement.
“Our mission is to represent athletes and support them so they can succeed in their sporting and non-sporting careers, and empower the network of athlete representatives,” Ahrens said.
“As liaison, it is my role to give athletes from Africa a voice, deliver our perspective and help athlete representatives to be knowledgeable, equipped and adequately informed to be able to execute their mandate effectively.”
Ahrens is a trap (shooting) specialist and silver medal winner in trap at the 2007 African Championships in Cairo. She competed in her first Olympic Games in 2008 in Beijing, and she won the bronze medal in women’s trap at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, as well as a gold medal at the 2011 African Championships in Rabat.
Ahrens was the flag bearer for Namibia at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. She won her second continental trophy in trap at the 2015 African Championships in Cairo.
The decorated shottist retired from competition sports after her third participation in the Olympic Games, at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
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