¡¡ For the first time in the history of the International Olympic Committee, a total of 15 athletes will hold the rights to vote in the highest world sports governing body, an IOC official said.

¡¡ The official said that the IOC executive committee has agreed to a proposal, which looked set to be sealed at a full council meeting in Lausanne, would allow 15 athletes, elected by their peers, to become full IOC members after the Sydney Olympics.

¡¡ Currently 10 athletes represent their bodies in the IOC but have no voting rights.

¡¡ The 15 would serve terms of eight years. Eight would come from summer games sports, four from the winter games and three from other areas of sport.

¡¡ The Olympic Athletes Commission also asked the IOC on Saturday to issue athletes with an international anti-doping passport giving an official record of their tests for banned substances. (Xinhua)