Dr Erdener's nomination was put forward by the IOC Executive Board at SportAccord in Athens, Greece, last June. He is now the second FITA President to become an IOC Member but it is the first time in the capacity as International Federation's IF President. Therefore Dr Erdener's term as IOC Member is linked with his term as FITA President. FITA Honorary President Mr James L Easton was appointed as an individual member at the IOC Session in Paris in 1994.

Dr Erdener was born on 15 June 1950. He enrolled in the School of Medicine at Hacettepe University in Ankara, Turkey, and in 1977 graduated with his medical degree. Dr Erdener has spent all of his professional life-both as a physician and as a faculty member-at Hacettepe University's School of Medicine. In 1996 he became Associate Professor, and in 2000 Dr Erdener became the General Director and CEO of Hacettepe University Hospitals. Under his direction the hospital had a major economic development and transformed into one of the only facilities outside of the United States that complies with JCI's strict evaluative measures. Dr Erdener is respected for his emphasis on teamwork, scholarly, collaboration, professionalism and the production of quality projects. Finally on 25 December 2007 he became Rector of Hacettepe University.

Athletics is also a significant aspect of Ugur Erdener's life. He was a renowned Turkish athlete in the triple jump and basketball where he later became a successful coach. Later he discovered archery and served as President of the Turkish Archery Federation for a duration of 23 years, four terms. He accepted the role as President of the European and Mediterranean Archery Union, EMAU, for five years and in 2005 was the first Turkish sportsman to be elected President of an Olympic sport's IF. Archery's International Federation is FITA Federation Internationale de Tir lArc has its Headquarters based in Lausanne, Switzerland, and has a membership including athletes from 139 nations. Dr Erdener is also a member of the Turkish National Olympic Committee's Board of Directors.

Carrying on the memorable archery competition at the Panathinaiko Stadium during the Athens 2004 Olympic Games Dr Erdener launched the Archery World Cup circuit in 2006 with a new concept intense competition in extraordinary venues. Since then FITA has held events in the heart of the Maya Pyramids in Mexico, beside the famous 7-star hotel Burj Al Arab in Dubai and in the oldest fort of the New World in Santo Domingo. Such events have ensured archery's media and economic expansion in recent years.

Dr Erdener is married to Zafer Erdener. They have three children and one grandchild.

FITA is very proud that its President has been elected as IOC Member. This election is an excellent start for archery in the Olympic Games in Beijing and we look forward to an exciting event starting on Saturday 9 August.