04 December 2025 - The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Kirsty Coventry, has appointed five new members of the IOC Athletes’ Commission (AC), ensuring that the AC reaches its full composition in time for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. The five Olympians are: Soraya Aghaei Haji Agha (IRI, badminton), Husein Alireza (KSA, rowing), Cheick Sallah Cissé (CIV, taekwondo), Olufunke Oshonaike (NGR, table tennis) and Mariana Pajón (COL, cycling). The appointments were made in consultation with IOC AC Chair Emma Terho.
KEY FACTS:
- Five new members have been appointed by IOC President Kirsty Coventry to the IOC AC.
- The IOC AC is now composed of 23 members from all continents, 13 women and 10 men, representing 15 summer sports and 5 winter sports.
- Members of the IOC AC ensure athlete representation in Olympic Movement decision-making.
“The Athletes’ Commission is essential in making sure that athletes remain at the heart of everything we do, and that their voices guide our decisions,” President Coventry explained. “Having had the privilege to serve as both a member and Chair, I understand just how important this role is. I am deeply grateful to our new members for their commitment, and for the wealth of experience they bring in the service of all athletes around the world.”
In addition to the athletes elected by their peers during each edition of the Olympic Summer and Winter Games, the IOC President can appoint additional members to ensure balanced representation across genders, regions and sports within the Commission.
Who are the new IOC AC members?
- Soraya Aghaei Haji Agha (Iran, badminton) competed at Tokyo 2020, becoming the first female badminton player to represent Iran at the Olympic Games. She has coached at national level and is a member of the Iranian NOC’s Athletes’ Commission.
- Husein Alireza (Saudi Arabia, rowing) participated at Tokyo 2020 and combines elite sport with entrepreneurship. Husein has been active across athletes’ commissions in Saudi Arabia and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).
- Cheick Sallah Cissé (Côte d’Ivoire, taekwondo) is an Olympic gold medallist from Rio 2016 who also took part at Tokyo 2020. He competed in various World Championships, and won gold in 2023. Currently serving in the Ministry of Sport in Côte d’Ivoire, he also co-chairs the World Taekwondo Athletes’ Commission.
- Olufunke Oshonaike (Nigeria, table tennis) competed in seven consecutive editions of the Olympic Games, from Atlanta 1996 to Tokyo 2020. She is a member of both the Nigeria National Olympic Committee AC and the Nigeria Table Tennis AC.
- Mariana Pajón (Colombia, cycling) is a three-time Olympian, a double Olympic champion in BMX racing (London 2012 and Rio 2016), and a multiple world champion. She runs a foundation promoting sport for youth, and has served on the UCI AC.
IOC AC Chair Emma Terho congratulated the new members on their appointment: "I am delighted to welcome Soraya, Husein, Cheick, Olufunke, and Mariana to the Athletes’ Commission,” she said. “Their diverse backgrounds, achievements and experience will enrich our discussions and help us continue to advocate for athletes worldwide.”
With these appointments, the IOC AC is now composed of 23 members from all continents (including a member from the Refugee Olympic Team), 13 women and 10 men, representing 15 summer sports and 5 winter sports.
ABOUT THE IOC AC
The IOC AC plays a central role within the Olympic Movement, representing the global athlete voice within the IOC and the Olympic Movement. The Commission is composed of a maximum of 23 members, 12 of whom (the majority) are directly elected by athletes through elections during the Games, plus a maximum of 11 appointed members.
Eleven candidates from five different sports and 11 NOCs will be standing in the IOC Athletes’ Commission election at Milano Cortina 2026. They will be vying for the two available positions on the Commission.
