In a move that strengthens African representation and the voice of athletes within the Olympic movement, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced the appointment of Cheick Sallah Cissé, the iconic Ivorian taekwondo athlete and 2016 Rio Olympic champion, as one of the five new members of its Athletes’ Commission. This appointment, announced on December 4, aims to complete the commission’s membership in time for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, ensuring greater diversity and a global perspective in the IOC’s decisions.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry, who spearheaded the appointments in consultation with Commission Chair Emma Terho, highlighted the importance of bringing in experienced voices such as Cissé’s.
“The Athletes’ Commission is essential to ensuring that athletes remain at the heart of everything we do, and that their voices guide our decisions,”
Coventry said in an official statement. Terho, for his part, welcomed the new members: “I am pleased to welcome Soraya, Husein, Cheick, Olufunke, and Mariana to the Athletes’ Commission. Their commitment and experience will enrich the service we provide to all athletes around the world.”
Cissé, a 32-year-old native of Ivory Coast, is no stranger to Olympic circles. Born on September 19, 1993, the taekwondo athlete rose to fame at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, where he won the gold medal in the over-80 kg category with a spinning kick to the head in the final seconds against Britain’s Lutalo Muhammad, in a match that ended 8-6. This victory not only earned his country its first Olympic gold medal in taekwondo but also made him a symbol of perseverance and excellence in Africa.
His list of achievements is impressive: three-time African taekwondo champion, two-time gold medalist at the African Games (2015 and 2019), and winner of the 2023 World Taekwondo Championships in the heavyweight division, held in Baku, Azerbaijan. He also competed in the Tokyo 2020 Games, cementing his status as one of the sport’s leading figures.
Off the mat, Cissé runs a foundation dedicated to promoting taekwondo among young people in Ivory Coast, fostering values such as discipline and equality. Recently, in May 2025, he was appointed ambassador for the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Dignity, where he advocates for the impact of sports on human rights and environmental sustainability.
Along with Cissé, the IOC has appointed four other elite athletes: Soraya Aghaei Haji Agha (Iran, badminton), Husein Alireza (Saudi Arabia, rowing), Olufunke Oshonaike (Nigeria, table tennis), and Mariana Pajón (Colombia, BMX cycling). This selection brings the Commission’s membership to 23—13 women and 10 men—from every continent, including a representative from the Refugee Olympic Team, and spanning 15 summer and 5 winter sports. For Oshonaike, Cissé’s fellow African, this milestone marks the first time a Nigerian has joined the body, underscoring Africa’s growing role in Olympic governance.
As co-chair of the World Taekwondo Athletes’ Commission—a position Cissé currently holds—he brings a unique perspective to the IOC. His experience advocating for athletes’ rights positions him as a bridge between international federations and the Olympic movement.
With the 2028 Los Angeles Games on the horizon, this appointment not only celebrates Cissé’s legacy but also reinforces the IOC’s commitment to equity and representation. Through figures like him, Africa continues to gain ground on the global sports stage.
The IOC Athletes’ Commission is now at full strength ahead of #MilanoCortina2026!
— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) December 4, 2025
Five Olympians join to ensure athlete voices are heard:
🇮🇷 Soraya Aghaei Haji Agha
🇸🇦 Husein Alireza
🇨🇮 Cheick Sallah Cissé
🇳🇬 Olufunke Oshonaike
🇨🇴 Mariana Pajón
🔗 Read more: https://t.co/0qHTMO3LTs pic.twitter.com/TzsM6MBtyE
