New Athletes' Commission chair

SYDNEY.

Six-time Olympic rower James Tomkins has been elected head of the Australian Athletes' Commission, according to the country's Olympic Committee.

Three-time gold medallist Tomkins, 43, who carried the Australian flag at the Beijing Games opening ceremony, was announced chairman on Friday while eight summer Olympians were also formally inducted as new members of the commission.

"What I am looking forward to is actually making a difference and trying to do something that benefits all the other athletes," Tomkins said.

The commission meets four times a year and the chairman reports to the Australian Olympic Committee executive.