Kuwait City, Kuwait, May 29, 2020: The Olympic Council of Asia has congratulated two female Asian sports leaders who have been appointed to lead two International Olympic Committee Commissions.
On May 28, the IOC announced that Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, IOC Member from Thailand, had been appointed Chair of the IOC Culture and Olympic Heritage Commission and Zhang Hong, IOC Member from China, would head the newly-formed IOC Coordination Commission for the 4th Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, Korea in 2024.
The OCA Director General, Husain Al-Musallam, said: “We are very proud that two Asian female sports leaders have been appointed to head these very important IOC Commissions.
“Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul has made a big impression on the OCA since being appointed Chair of the OCA Culture Committee and a member of the OCA Executive Board in March 2019. Her background is in sport and the arts so she is the ideal choice to lead this IOC Commission.
“Zhang Hong is an Olympic speed skating champion and will have the experience of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics to take with her into this role as Chair of the IOC Coordination Commission for the 4th Winter YOG in 2024 – the first Winter YOG to be held in Asia.
“Zhang Hong also played a prominent role in our OCA Asian Athletes’ Forum in Tokyo in November 2018 and will have the athletes at the heart of preparations for Gangwon 2024.”
Mr Al-Musallam concluded: “The OCA would like to congratulate these two hard-working members of the Olympic Movement on their prestigious appointments within the International Olympic Committee.
“With their experience and knowledge we are very confident they will provide inspirational leadership in their roles. The two commissions are in safe hands.
“We also hope these appointments will provide further encouragement to our female sports leaders, officials, administrators and athletes in Asia in the continued promotion of gender equality and equal opportunities in the Olympic movement.”
