Seven-time Olympian, Olufunke Oshonaike has been appointed to the International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission, becoming the first Nigerian to secure a seat on the influential global body.
Her selection, approved by IOC President Kirsty Coventry, places her among five newly appointed members drafted to bring the Commission to full strength ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
The IOC, in a statement issued on Thursday, listed the new members as Soraya Hajiagha of Iran, Husein Alireza of Saudi Arabia, Cheick Cissé of Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria’s Oshonaike and Mariana Pajón of Colombia.
Their appointments were made in consultation with the Commission’s chair, Emma Terho.
Coventry described the Athletes’ Commission as a vital arm of the IOC, emphasising its role in shaping policy with athletes in mind.
“The Athletes’ Commission is essential in making sure athletes remain at the heart of everything we do,” Coventry said.
“I am deeply grateful to our new members for their commitment and the wealth of experience they bring in service to athletes worldwide.”
A dominant figure in African table tennis for decades, Oshonaike competed in seven consecutive Olympics from Atlanta 1996 to Tokyo 2020.
She also serves on the Nigeria National Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission and the Nigeria Table Tennis Athletes’ Commission.
With the new additions, the IOC Athletes’ Commission now has 23 members drawn from all continents, including a representative of the Refugee Olympic Team.
The group consists of 13 women and 10 men, representing a broad mix of summer and winter sports.
Oshonaike expressed joy at the appointment, saying the recognition reinforces her long-standing commitment to the sport.
“I am so excited because during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games campaign, I was impressed by the huge support from my country and athletes across the world,” 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 the rare opportunity to live well in life.”
