MUMBAI, India— Tuesday marked the election of Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh to the International Olympic Committee, notwithstanding the opposition expressed by a few of her new colleagues via “no” ballots.
107 IOC members were elected, including eight newcomers selected from political and industry leaders, current and former athletes, and members of royal families and sporting organizations.
Princess Nora of Liechtenstein, the IOC member with the most tenure at 39 years, called Yeoh to the podium, where she administered the 104-word oath while grasping a corner of the Olympic flag—a white flag featuring five colored circles.
Yeoh concluded the oath by stating, “Under no circumstances shall I fail to oppose any manifestation of prejudice; under all circumstances shall I devote myself to advancing the objectives of the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Movement.”
Oscar Winner Michelle Yeoh Elected To Be An International Olympic Committee Member.
In the same manner as the other newly recruited athletes, IOC President Thomas Bach bestowed a golden medallion upon Yeoh.
At yearly IOC meetings, member responsibilities include authorizing candidates recommended as future Olympic hosts. Additionally, they might be asked in Paris the following year to amend Olympic regulations to permit Bach to run for a third term as president in 2025, surpassing the current 12-year limit.
Yeoh, who represents her native Malaysia and has connections to the United Nations, was elected by secret ballot with a 67-9 margin. Her year of membership coincides with her Academy Award victory for best actress in the film “Everything, Everything, All at Once.”
In addition, she and her husband, Jean Todt, the former director of the Ferrari Formula One team, collaborate as an international road safety advocate. He has also held the position of president at FIA, the authoritative motorsports organization.
Tuesday’s 76-0 victory for Cecilia Tait, a former Peruvian congresswoman and three-time Olympian in volleyball, was the only unanimous vote. Tait aided the silver medal that Peru won at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
Oscar Winner Michelle Yeoh Elected To Be An International Olympic Committee Member.
Yael Arad, the first Israeli to earn an Olympic medal, was elected on Tuesday by a vote of 71-5. She achieved the esteemed position of president of the Israeli Olympic Committee after competing in judo to earn a silver medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Additional newcomers include Mehrez Boussayene, a Tunisian jurist, Balázs Fürjes, a sports executive for the Hungarian government, and Michael Mronz, a sports official from Germany.
Membership was also granted to two newly elected presidents of regulating bodies in Olympic sports: Kim Jae-soul of South Korea and Petra Sorling of Sweden, representing table tennis and the International Skating Union.
Although nominally volunteers, IOC members can receive $7,000 annually to cover administrative expenses. In addition, they are eligible to receive $450 for each day spent in meetings and travel.
SOURCE – (AP)
