Olufunke Oshonaike earns a positive milestone with her appointment to the IOC Athletes’ Commission, representing Nigeria and Africa on the global stage.
Seven-time Olympian Olufunke Oshonaike pledged in Abuja on 5 December to represent Nigeria and Africa with pride on the International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission after IOC President Kirsty Coventry confirmed her appointment.
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Olufunke Oshonaike becomes the first Nigerian member of the influential body, joining four other newly appointed athletes selected to ensure full composition of the Commission ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
The table tennis star, aged 50, is one of Africa’s most decorated players with multiple medals at the African Games.
The IOC announced the appointments of Soraya Aghaei Haji Agha of Iran, Husein Alireza of Saudi Arabia, Cheick Sallah Cissé of Ivory Coast, and Mariana Pajón of Colombia.
The decisions were made in consultation with Athletes’ Commission Chair Emma Terho, who said the group’s varied backgrounds would strengthen global athlete advocacy.
Coventry described the Commission as essential in ensuring athletes remain central to Olympic decision-making.
She praised the incoming members for bringing a wealth of experience and commitment at a pivotal moment for the Movement.
Oshonaike, who competed in seven consecutive Olympic Games from Atlanta 1996 to Tokyo 2020, said the appointment fulfilled a long-held ambition to give back to the sport that shaped her life.
She added that the surge of support she received during the Paris 2024 campaign had inspired her to continue serving athletes.
The Nigerian currently sits on both the Nigeria National Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission and the Nigeria Table Tennis Athletes’ Commission.
A notable highlight of the new line-up is the inclusion of fellow African athlete Cheick Sallah Cissé, the Rio 2016 taekwondo gold medallist and co-chair of the World Taekwondo Athletes’ Commission.
With the latest additions, the IOC Athletes’ Commission now stands at 23 members, representing all continents and a broad span of 15 summer and five winter sports.
The group includes a representative of the Refugee Olympic Team and maintains a strong gender balance, consisting of 13 women and 10 men.
Terho said the expanded membership would help drive constructive discussions and reinforce the Commission’s role in ensuring athletes’ voices are heard at the highest level.
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She noted that the Commission’s diverse expertise would prove invaluable as preparations intensify for upcoming Olympic events.
