During the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the IHF Athletes’ Commission will be elected. After reviewing the players proposed by the National Federations, the IHF Executive confirmed the following six candidates: Chebbah Mouna, Rikke Erhardsen Skov, Cristina Neagu, Gro Hammerseng-Edin, as well as Diego Simonet and Igor Vori.

Chebbah Mouna, born on 8 July 1982, is a Tunisian handball player who played her first World Championship in 2001 and since then never missed a single one. At her last appearance at the 2015 Women’s World Championship in Denmark she finished as top scorer of her team. Mouna left her last club HBC Nimes (France) to play for Chambray TH as of season 2016/2017. Besides French, which is her native language, and English, she also speaks Arabic and Danish.

“My first motivation is to participate to the development and promotion of handball, especially women's handball. This will also allow me to forward the concerns of my colleague players. Being in this commission will help me to start a career in sports management in my country.”

Rikke Erhardsen Skov, born on 7 September 1980, is a former Danish national team player (WChs 2013 and 2015, Olympic Games 2004 and 2012), who currently plays for Viborg HK in Denmark, the team she played for during the 2014/2015 EHF Champions League season. Besides English, she also speaks Danish, her mother tongue. 

“I love the sport of handball and I want to participate in the future development of the sport on an international level. I see my candidature in the IHF Athletes' Commission as a way to use my many years of experience, knowledge and deep affection for handball to affect the sport in a fair and positive direction.”

Cristina Neagu, born on 26 August 1988, is Romania’s current number 1 player and was voted World Handball Player of the Year in 2010 and 2015. She took part in the 2007, 2013 and 2015 Women’s World Championships as well as the 2012 Olympic Games. Neagu currently plays for Buducnost Podgorica (Montenegro). Besides English, she speaks Romanian, her mother tongue, and has good knowledge in Serbian and Spanish.

As a top world player, Neagu wants to contribute her international experience as well as her competence in sport management.

Gro Hammerseng-Edin, born on 10 April 1980, from Norway played for their women’s national team at the 2001, 2003 and 2007 World Championships as well as the 2008 Olympic Games. Although she ended her career in the national team, she is still an active player and currently plays for Larvik HK (Norway), with whom she competed in the EHF Champions League in the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 seasons. Besides English, she speaks her native language Norwegian.

“I agree that it is of great importance that the rights and interests of the athletes are upheld and represented within the IHF and I would like to be part of this.”

Diego Simonet, born on 20 September 1989, first appeared on the World Championship stage in 2011. The player from Argentina took then part in the 2013 and 2015 World Championships as well as the 2012 Olympic Games. Simonet currently plays for MHB Montpellier in France. Besides English, he speaks Spanish, his mother tongue, French and Portuguese. 

“I would like to help the handball in America and to help the American players in Europe.”

 

Igor Vori, born on 20 September 1980, has never missed one single World Championship since his first appearance for the Croatian national team in 2003 and took part in all Olympic Games handball tournaments (2004, 2008 and 2012). Vori currently plays for French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain HB. Besides English, he speaks Croatian, his mother tongue, Spanish, German and French.

 

“I am especially delighted an honoured to be selected by the Croatian Handball Federation for this position at the IHF. After 15 years of playing for the Croatian national team, many wonderful moments experienced and medals won, I strongly believe that my competence and knowledge can particularly contribute to the further development of handball.”