Seven-time Olympian Olufunke Oshonaike has been appointed to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Commission, becoming the first Nigerian to serve in the influential global body.
Oshonaike, one of Africa’s most celebrated table tennis stars, was nominated by IOC President Kirsty Coventry and joins four other newly appointed members ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The IOC confirmed the appointments on Thursday.
The new members include Soraya Hajiagha of Iran (badminton), Husein Alireza of Saudi Arabia (rowing), Cheick Cissé of Côte d’Ivoire (taekwondo), Oshonaike of Nigeria (table tennis), and Mariana Pajón of Colombia (cycling).
The selection was made in consultation with IOC Athletes’ Commission Chair Emma Terho.
Coventry praised the additions, saying the Commission “is essential in making sure athletes remain at the heart of everything we do,” and expressed gratitude for the expertise the new members bring.
Oshonaike competed in seven consecutive Olympic Games from Atlanta 1996 to Tokyo 2020 and currently serves on both the Nigeria National Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission and the Nigeria Table Tennis Athletes’ Commission.
She described her appointment as a dream fulfilled.
“I am so excited,” she said. “This appointment confirms that my efforts did not go unnoticed. It has been my dream to impact the sport that has given me so much.”
Her fellow African appointee, Cheick Sallah Cissé, is a Rio 2016 Olympic gold medallist and co-chair of the World Taekwondo Athletes’ Commission.
With the new appointments, the IOC Athletes’ Commission now comprises 23 members representing all continents, including 13 women and 10 men across 15 summer sports and five winter sports, as well as a representative of the Refugee Olympic Team.
Chair Emma Terho welcomed the new members, noting that their diverse backgrounds and achievements will strengthen the Commission’s work in advocating for athletes worldwide.
