Iran's Female Badminton Star Becomes First Iranian Woman Elected to IOC

Soraya Aghaei Hajiagha, 30, has become the first Iranian woman elected to the International Olympic Committee, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.

At the 145th IOC Session held Wednesday, Aghaei Hajiagha was elected as an IOC member with 95 votes in favor and 2 against.

Aghaei Hajiagha made history in 2020 as the first female Iranian badminton player to compete in the Olympics when she participated in the Tokyo Summer Games.

She is the third Iranian ever to serve on the IOC and the first woman from the country to hold the position.

With her election, the IOC now has 107 members in total. Women account for 48 of all members, representing 44.9 percent.

The appointment of Iran's first female IOC member is expected to draw attention to whether it could help improve perceptions of women's sports participation within Iran.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry, speaking at a press conference following Aghaei Hajiagha's election, said the new member "will be an enormous asset to the IOC," describing her as "a great young talent, a very good athlete, and now a great coach." Coventry refrained from commenting on the potential impact of the appointment.

Aghaei Hajiagha's term will last eight years, during which she will participate in voting to select the host city for the 2036 Summer Olympics.