Following the successful staging of the General Assembly of the International Olympic Committee in Milan, Italy, and the historic election of Soraya Aghaei as a new IOC member, a broad group of senior sports officials and prominent figures from Iran issued a joint congratulatory message addressed to IOC President Ms. Kirsty Coventry, Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission and a senior IOC leader.
Iran NOC; Tehran: The message was
jointly signed by former presidents and secretaries general of the National
Olympic Committee of Iran, along with representatives of the Iran Olympians’
Association and the Athletes’ Commission. In their statement, the signatories
commended Coventry’s leadership and the professional, well-organized conduct of
the IOC Session in Milan, describing the session as a clear demonstration of
effective governance, inclusiveness, and respect for Olympic values. The
Iranian sports leaders highlighted the election of Soraya Aghaei by an
overwhelming majority as a landmark achievement for Iranian sport and a source
of pride for the country’s sporting community. They emphasized that her
election represents a significant step forward in strengthening the role of
athletes within international sports governance and reflects the IOC’s
continued commitment to merit, expertise, and fair representation.
The message further noted that
this achievement has generated widespread pride and optimism among the Iranian
people, particularly among female athletes, and has been welcomed as a positive
and inspiring development for the broader Muslim sporting community. The
signatories described Aghaei’s election as a tangible expression of
multiculturalism and a reaffirmation of the fundamental principles of Olympism,
especially in promoting peace, dialogue, and global solidarity through sport.
In the concluding part of the
statement, the Iranian officials expressed confidence that the IOC’s prudent
and forward-looking approach in recognizing qualified and capable individuals
will further strengthen human connections and contribute to the continued
growth and credibility of the Olympic Movement worldwide. They reiterated their
appreciation for Coventry’s role in supporting athletes’ voices and wished her continued
success in advancing the values and mission of the IOC at the global level.