TURIN, Feb. 23 (Xinhuanet) -- Finnish ice hockey player Saku Koivuand Canadian cross-country skier Beckie Scott have been elected tothe Athletes' Commission of the International Olympic Committee, the Olympic governing bod y announced here on Thursday.

    Koivu garnered 449 votes cast to lead the 15 candidates and Scott was in second place with 412 votes.

    After acceptance by the IOC session, they will also become IOC members for the duration of their eight-year tenure within the athletes' commission.

    Koivu, 31, was instrumental in the Finnish ice hockey team whenit won the bronze medals at the 1994 and 1998 winter Olympics, while the 32-year-old Scott won the gold in the women's 5km pursuit at the Salt Lake Games in 2002.

    China's star short-track speed skater Yang Yang (A), who was running election for a second time to the Athletes Commission, once again failed after finishing seventh with 266 votes.

    Created in 1981, the Athletes' Commission is the direct link between athletes and the IOC and serves as the athletes' voice within the Olympic Movement.

    The commission includes 19 members -- 12 athletes elected for eight years by the athletes in the Olympic Games and seven athletes appointed by the IOC President to ensure a balance between regions, genders and sports. Enditem (By Gao Peng )