Soraya Aghaei has been elected as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), becoming the first woman from Iran to join the global sporting body. Her election also makes her the third person from Iran to secure a seat on the IOC and the first in two decades.

Aghaei, who is also currently the youngest IOC member, received significant backing in the committee’s latest session, with a decisive 95 votes in favour and only 2 against. Her inclusion brings the total number of IOC members to 107.

Trailblazer in Iranian Sport

At just 29 years of age, Aghaei is a noted former athlete, having represented Iran as a professional badminton player. She gained prominence in 2021 when she became the first Iranian woman to compete in Olympic badminton at the Tokyo Games. Her appointment to the IOC reflects the country’s evolving participation in international sports governance, particularly for women.

Iran previously had two representatives in the IOC — the most recent being in 2004. Aghaei now joins an exclusive list of delegates from the Islamic Republic, and her election marks a significant development for gender representation within both the IOC and Iranian sports administration.

Role and Responsibilities within the IOC

As an IOC member, Aghaei will participate in shaping the policies that govern the Olympic Movement worldwide. Members of the committee are responsible for promoting Olympism and ensuring the implementation of the Olympic Charter across various national Olympic committees.

Her addition to the committee contributes to broader efforts by the IOC to improve diversity and inclusion within its leadership. The IOC has made a concerted push toward greater female participation in recent years, and Aghaei’s inclusion highlights the increasing globalisation and gender balance in international sports institutions.

Broader Significance for Olympic Representation

With Aghaei’s election, Iran re-enters a global decision-making body that plays a key role in organising and overseeing the Olympic Games and related events. Her experience as an athlete and her visibility on the global stage are expected to strengthen Iran’s voice within the international Olympic community.

The latest round of elections also continues the IOC’s tradition of incorporating diverse voices from a range of countries, reflecting the global nature of the Olympic movement. Aghaei will serve her term alongside fellow IOC members from around the world, contributing to the organisation’s strategic direction and operations.

Her appointment is expected to inspire further involvement of Iranian women in international sports forums and governance positions, aligning with broader trends in sports diplomacy and gender representation.