Committee of the Bermuda Olympic Association, president Austin Woods has confirmed.

Kempe was nominated for the post of chairman of the Athletes Commission -- a newly created position to be filled by an Olympic athlete of the past five years -- along with another sailor, Peter Bromby, and former swimmer Jenny Smatt.

Woods said that the executives had confirmed Kempe's appointment on March 11 at their last executive meeting. It is a four-year elected post.

The position was not filled during the Bermuda Olympic Association's AGM in December when most of the executives, including Woods, were returned for a third term. The BOA decided to extend the nomination period until early January.

"Three of them were put forward and Jay has been appointed,'' said Woods.

The position comes at the urging of the International Olympic Committee, which is seeking to give athletes a greater voice. Kempe, a lawyer, will act as a liason between Bermuda athletes and the BOA in everything from drug testing to budget needs. Woods said sports federations are now being asked to submit individuals to serve on the commission, a process that should be completed by the end of May.