The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) has announced the addition of Dr. Cheri Blauwet as an independent member of its board of directors. A three-time Paralympian in track and field, and accomplished medical doctor, Blauwet chairs the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Medical Committee, serves as a member of the International Olympic Committee Medical and Scientific Expert Group, and until September 2016, served as treasurer on the US Anti-Doping Agency board of directors.

The USOC board of directors also agreed to additional four-year terms for directors Robert Bach, Bill Marolt and Whitney Ping, and elected Larry Probst to a further four-year term as board chair.

“Dr. Blauwet’s achievements on and off the field of play give her a unique perspective on sports governance and we’re pleased to welcome her to the USOC board,” said Probst. “She is extremely well-versed in areas of medicine and the effort to protect clean athletes, and we are confident that she will have an immediate and lasting impact on the USOC and the athletes we serve.”

A seven-time Paralympic medallist, Blauwet joins the USOC board of directors after leading the IPC Medical Committee at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. With a degree from Stanford Medical School, she maintains an active sports medicine practice at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, while also serving as an instructor in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School. She is also a four-time winner of the Los Angeles Marathon and a two-time winner of both the Boston and New York City marathons.

“I am tremendously honoured to serve on the USOC board of directors, bringing my background as an athlete and expertise as a physician to the fore, as well as my experience from the Paralympic Movement,” said Blauwet. “I look forward to serving alongside this tremendous group of professionals to best elevate the success of our country’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes.”

Blauwet fills the seat of outgoing independent director Ursula Burns, who completed her elected term in December 2016.

“Dr. Blauwet is an accomplished athlete and doctor, and we’re grateful that she’s committed to helping us serve America’s elite athletes,” said USOC CEO Scott Blackmun. “I’d also like to thank Ursula for her many contributions to the USOC. She challenged us as administrators to be worthy of the athletes we serve, and her dedication and expertise have left a positive impact on Olympic and Paralympic sport in the United States.”

The 16-member board is comprised of three nominees each from the Athletes’ Advisory Council and National Governing Bodies Council, and six independent directors. The CEO and all American members of the IOC are ex officio members of the board.