By Daniel Etchells

Judoka Isabel Fernández has been appointed vice-president of the Spanish Olympic Committee ©COEThe Spanish Olympic Committee (COE) has appointed judoka Isabel Fernández as its vice-president, after the proposal of President Alejandro Blanco was approved at the organisation's Executive Committee meeting.


The appointment will not be effective until the COE's General Assembly, due to take place in spring of next year.

The 42-year-old replaces Theresa Zabell, the double Olympic gold medal-winning sailor who played a big part in Madrid's bid for the 2020 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

She stepped down from the COE last month after seven years as first vice-president.

Fernández was crowned Olympic champion at Sydney 2000 in the under 57 kilogram category, four years after winning a bronze medal at Atlanta 1996 in the under 56kg.

She also triumphed at the 1997 World Judo Championships in Paris and has six European titles to her name, making her the most successful Spanish judoka of all time.

Isabel Fernández leads her country's delegation during the Athens 2004 Opening Ceremony ©Getty ImagesIsabel Fernández leads her country's delegation during the Athens 2004 Opening Ceremony ©Getty Images



Having also competed at Athens 2004, where she was Spain's flagbearer during the Opening Ceremony, and Beijing 2008, she is one of few Spanish athletes to represent their country at four Olympic Games.

Fernández, along with her husband, owns the Judo Club Alicante in the city where she currently resides.

She is also well known for bringing together children and youths with disabilities through judo.

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