Soraya Aghaei Becomes First Iranian Woman to Join IOC Body

By: WE Staff | Thursday, 5 February 2026

• Iran’s Soraya Aghaei becomes IOC’s first female member from the country
• A decisive 95-2 mandate makes her the youngest current IOC member
• The appointment aligns with IOC’s women-led leadership shift

Soraya Aghaei has been elected as International Olympic Committee (IOC) first female member from Iran, as announced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. Marking a milestone for global sports governance, Soraya, 30 years old, also emerged as the youngest representative currently on the body.

The decision is backed by a 95-2 vote, where Soraya joins IOC as its 107^th member, becoming only third Iranian representative and the first since 2024. The move is seen as one that redefines women’s representation, allowing the IOC to expand its ranks with Iran’s first female appointee.

Ushering in a new chapter of inclusion and youth, her appointment aligns with a leadership era led by IOC President Kirsty Coventry, as women now comprise nearly half of the committee. The IOC’s invitation-only ranks reflect a rare convergence of elite athletes, international federation heads, royal family members, former political leaders, diplomats, business magnates, and cultural icons.

Her Olympic journey began on the court and she proudly attributes being Iran’s first female badminton Olympian, competing at the Tokyo Games in 2021. The nation’s last badminton Olympian before her was Kaveh Mehrabi in 2008, now heading the IOC’s Athletes’ Department.