In a historic milestone for Iranian sport, Soraya Aghaei Haji Agha has been elected a full member of the International Olympic Committee, becoming the first Iranian woman and former badminton Olympian to hold this position.
A Historic Election at the 145th IOC Session
At the 145th Session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Milan, Italy, Soraya Aghaei Haji Agha was elected as a new IOC member by a strong vote of 95 to 2. Her election marks a historic first: she is the first Iranian woman and the first from the sport of badminton to be elected to the IOC.
Aghaei, 30, becomes the IOC’s 107th member. Women now account for nearly 45 percent of IOC membership, reflecting the organization’s continuing efforts toward gender balance.
From Olympic Athlete to Olympic Decision-Maker
Soraya Aghaei first made history as an athlete at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, where she became the first Iranian woman to compete in badminton at the Olympics. Prior to her election as an IOC member, she joined the IOC Athletes’ Commission in December 2025.
In addition to her international roles, Aghaei serves on the Athletes’ Commission of the National Olympic Committee of the Islamic Republic of Iran and has experience as a national-level coach, contributing to the development of athletes in her home country.
Broader Impacts and Representation
Aghaei’s election is noteworthy not only for her personal accomplishments but also for its symbolic significance in promoting greater inclusion and athlete representation in global Olympic governance. Her presence joins the leadership at a time when the IOC is led by its first female president, Kirsty Coventry, and continues to pursue policies that elevate former athletes and women within its ranks.
With her eight-year term, Aghaei will participate in key IOC decisions, including future host city selections and broader policy and governance matters that shape the Olympic Movement worldwide.
From: ISNA