Seven-time Olympian Olufunke Oshonaike has made historical past as the primary Nigerian appointed to the Worldwide Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Fee, following her nomination by IOC President Kirsty Coventry.
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Oshonaike, one in all Africa’s most adorned desk tennis gamers, is amongst 5 new members appointed to make sure the Fee reaches full composition forward of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Video games.
In an announcement launched on Thursday, December 4, the IOC confirmed the appointments of Soraya Aghaei Haji Agha (Iran, badminton), Husein Alireza (Saudi Arabia, rowing), Cheick Sallah Cissé (Côte d’Ivoire, taekwondo), Olufunke Oshonaike (Nigeria, desk tennis), and Mariana Pajón (Colombia, biking). The appointments have been made in session with IOC AC Chair Emma Terho.
“The Athletes’ Fee is important in ensuring athletes stay on the coronary heart of every thing we do,” Coventry mentioned. “I’m deeply grateful to our new members for his or her dedication and the wealth of expertise they bring about in service to athletes worldwide.”
Oshonaike competed in seven consecutive Olympic Video games from Atlanta 1996 to Tokyo 2020.
She at present serves on each the Nigeria Nationwide Olympic Committee Athletes’ Fee and the Nigeria Desk Tennis Athletes’ Fee.
Her fellow African appointee, Cheick Sallah Cissé of Côte d’Ivoire, is a Rio 2016 Olympic gold medallist in taekwondo and co-chair of the World Taekwondo Athletes’ Fee.
With these appointments, the IOC Athletes’ Fee now includes 23 members from all continents, together with a consultant from the Refugee Olympic Group. The physique options 13 ladies and 10 males, representing 15 summer season sports activities and 5 winter sports activities.
Chair Emma Terho welcomed the brand new members, noting: “Their various backgrounds, achievements, and expertise will enrich our discussions and assist us proceed to advocate for athletes worldwide.”
Expressing pleasure, Oshonaike pledged to signify Nigeria and Africa with satisfaction:
“I’m so excited as a result of throughout the Paris 2024 Olympic Video games marketing campaign, I used to be impressed by the massive help from my nation and athletes the world over.
This appointment confirms that my efforts didn’t go unnoticed. It has been my dream to affect the game that has given me the uncommon alternative to reside properly in life.”
The IOC AC performs a central function within the Olympic Motion, making certain athletes’ voices are heard on the highest degree. The Fee consists of as much as 23 members—12 elected straight by athletes throughout the Video games and as much as 11 appointed by the IOC President to make sure balanced illustration throughout gender, areas, and sports activities.
