WANA (Dec 04) – Iranian badminton player Sorayya Aghaei has been appointed as one of five new members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Commission, according to an announcement by IOC President Kristy Coventry.

 

Coventry appointed the five new members to ensure the Athletes’ Commission reaches full composition ahead of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

 

The five newly appointed Olympians are:

  • Sorayya Aghaei (Badminton, Iran)
  • Husein Alireza (Rowing, Saudi Arabia)
  • Cheick Sallah Cissé (Taekwondo, Côte d’Ivoire)
  • Oluwafunke Oshonaike (Table Tennis, Nigeria)
  • Mariana Pajón (Cycling, Colombia)

 

The appointments were made in consultation with Emma Terho, Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission.

 

The IOC Athletes’ Commission now consists of 23 members from all continents, including 13 women and 10 men, representing 15 summer sports and five winter sports. The Commission ensures that athletes’ voices are incorporated into decision-making across the Olympic Movement.

Iranian badminton player Sorayya Aghaei

Iranian badminton player Sorayya Aghaei. Social media/ WANA News Agency