TURIN, Italy, Feb. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- The athletes participating in the 2006 Winter Olympics can vote as of Wednesday to elect two of their peers to represent them on the IOC athletes' commission.

    Voting offices have opened in each of the three Olympic Villages located in Turin, Bardonecchia and Sestriere. The election will end on February 22, and the official announcement will take place on February 23.

    Fifteen athletes have been named candidates for two seats on the commission. After acceptance by the IOC session, those elected will become IOC members for the duration of their eight-year tenure within the athletes' commission.

    Created in 1981, the IOC athletes' commission provides a link between Olympians and the IOC. It also allows athletes to have their voices heard within the Olympic Movement.

    List of candidates:

    Jacqui Cooper (Australia, freestyle skiing)

    Ruben Gonzalez (Argentina, luge)

    Georg Hackl (Germany, luge)

    Mark Hatton (Britain, luge)

    Kwang-Bae Kang (South Korea, bobsleigh and luge)

    Saku Koivu (Finland, ice hockey)

    Janica Kostelic (Croatia, Alpine skiing)

    Jaak Mae (Estonia, cross country skiing)

    Corinne Niogret (France, biathlon)

    Kenji Ogiwara (Japan, Nordic combined)

    Maria Jose Rienda (Spain, Alpine skiing)

    Beckie Scott (Canada, cross country skiing)

    Adne Sondral (Norway, speed skating)

    Yang Yang (China, short-track speed skating)

    Pawel Zygmunt (Poland, speed skating) Enditem