Funke Oshonaike celebrating during a table tennis match representing Nigeria
Nigerian sports just bagged another major win — and this time it’s thanks to one of the country’s most enduring legends, Funke Oshonaike.
The seven-time Olympian has officially become the first Nigerian ever appointed to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Commission, cementing her status as one of Africa’s most influential voices in global sports.
This historic announcement came as IOC President Kirsty Coventry appointed five new members to reinforce the commission ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Oshonaike now joins an elite group of global athletes including:
Soraya Aghaei Haji Agha (Iran, Badminton)
Husein Alireza (Saudi Arabia, Rowing)
Cheick Sallah Cissé (Côte d’Ivoire, Taekwondo)
Mariana Pajón (Colombia, Cycling)
For Oshonaike, this moment is more than an appointment — it is a dream fulfilled.
In her words:
“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 added:
“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.”
And truly, if anyone has earned that seat, it’s Oshonaike — a woman who represented Nigeria in seven consecutive Olympic Games, from Atlanta 1996 to Tokyo 2020. That’s not just consistency; that’s greatness on autopilot.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry highlighted the importance of the Athletes’ Commission in shaping the Olympic Movement:
“The Athletes’ Commission is essential in making sure athletes remain at the heart of everything we do.”
With the latest appointments, the commission now includes 23 members, representing athletes from across continents and from both summer and winter sports. Impressively, it maintains its gender balance with 13 women and 10 men.
The body ensures that athletes’ voices — from grassroots to the global stage — influence top-level decisions in the Olympic ecosystem.
This milestone hits differently for Nigeria and Africa at large:
It elevates Nigeria’s influence in global sports governance.
It positions African athletes more strongly in Olympic policymaking.
It shows that dedication, longevity, and excellence always get rewarded.
For a legend who has been inspiring young African athletes for nearly three decades, this is the perfect continuation of her legacy.
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