Los Angeles (April 28, 2011) – The Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games (SCCOG) today announced Michelle Kwan, the most decorated U.S. figure skater in history, and Hollywood producer Frank Marshall have been appointed to serve as organizing committee co-chairs of the 5th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Women and Sport 2012 Conference. The event takes place February, 2012.

“It’s an honor to co-chair and participate in such an important international event,” said two-time Olympic medalist and five-time world champion, Michelle Kwan. “Historically, this conference has played a meaningful role in identifying ways to improve and increase participation of women in the world of sport around the globe. Women athletes are making progress; for the very first time, the 2012 Olympic Games in London will showcase women competing in every sport on the program. I look forward to this conference and to the continued advancement of women in sports.” The IOC organizes a World Conference on Women and Sport every four years with the objective of analyzing the progress made within the Olympic Movement and identifying ways to improve and increase participation of women in the world of sport.

“Women continue to make great strides in achieving leadership roles, in many industries such as entertainment and business,” said Frank Marshall, Amblin Entertainment co-founder (along with his wife Kathleen Kennedy and Steven Spielberg) and former vice president and treasurer of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). “However, a gender gap persists particularly in the upper echelon of sport management positions. The Conference will bring together women and men from around the world to explore ways to change this dynamic.”