In the 141st International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Mumbai, 8 new IOC Members were elected. The selection of four women and four men to join the IOC membership not only underscores the organization’s commitment to fostering greater gender representation but also showcases the global reach and influence of sport.
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The IOC, in a statement, announced, “The 141st IOC Session meeting in Mumbai, India, today elected eight new IOC Members, four women and four men, bringing the proportion of women on the IOC membership to 41.1 per cent. This is in keeping with the IOC’s ambition to lead by example and increase female representation in governance structures.”
#WATCH | Maharashtra: International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board meeting underway in Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/2bIVO1P4eZ
— ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2023
One of the most notable inclusions among the newly elected members is the renowned Oscar-winning Hollywood actress Michelle Yeoh, who is perhaps best known as a “Bond Girl.” Her election to the IOC is a testament to the growing influence of popular culture and entertainment within the realm of international sports governance.
Yael Arad, a retired judoka and the first-ever Olympic medalist from Israel, was also elected to join the IOC membership. Arad’s silver medal win at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games made history, and her subsequent appointment as President of the National Olympic Committee of Israel in November 2021 broke new ground by making her the first woman to hold this prestigious position.
#WATCH | Maharashtra: International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board meeting underway in Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/p0lzE3dxgh
— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2023
Balazs Furjes, a distinguished sports administrator from Hungary, further bolsters the international composition of the IOC’s ranks. His election emphasizes the organization’s commitment to seeking expertise and knowledge from various corners of the globe.
Peru’s own Cecilia Roxana Tait Villacorta, an Olympian in her own right, adds another layer of diversity to the IOC’s membership. Her experience as an athlete brings a unique perspective to the table.
Moreover, two IOC Members were elected based on their roles within the International Federation (IF). Petra Sorling from Sweden, President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), and Jae-youl Kim from the Republic of Korea, President of the International Skating Union (ISU), bring a wealth of experience from their respective sports, further enriching the IOC’s knowledge base.
International Olympic Committee President, Thomas Bach, lauded Reliance Foundation and International Olympic Committee Member Mrs. Nita M. Ambani in his opening address on the first day of the IOC Executive Board meeting in Mumbai today.
“Reliance Foundation’s work exactly… pic.twitter.com/rGSsCMGl7R
— Reliance Foundation (@ril_foundation) October 12, 2023
Mehrez Boussayene of Tunisia was selected to join the membership as the President of the Comite National Olympique Tunisien, a vital role that directly impacts the Olympic movement in his nation.
These elections have expanded the total number of IOC Members to 107, reflecting the IOC’s continuing commitment to adapt to the evolving landscape of international sports and governance.
In an additional and momentous development, the IOC announced on Monday that cricket will return to the Olympics at the Los Angeles Games in 2028, marking its first appearance in the multi-sport extravaganza in 128 years. This decision signifies the global appeal and popularity of cricket, extending the reach of the Olympic Games to a wider audience.
