IOC seat: Oshonaike “drained” campaigning in Paris

Nigerian women’s table tennis icon Olufunke Oshonaike reveals being fagged in Paris, canvassing for votes ahead of the International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission election to be conducted during the 2024 Olympic Games, The PUNCH reports.

The 50-year-old seven-time Olympian let out her frustration on Instagram, adding that the feeling of making her eighth Olympic appearance and the prospect of being the voice of the Olympic athletes keep her going.

“I am a naturally strong woman, but I am feeling tired, exhausted, and drained by the situation around me. But I am happy to be making my 8th Olympic appearance. Campaigning to be the voice of the Olympic athletes has not been easy, but I believe that what’s worth doing is worth doing well. I hope it will be worth it, and I hope I will smile at last. It’s another challenge in my life,” she stated alongside several pictures of her heavily involved in the assignment in Paris on Tuesday.

Oshonaike, who competed in the women’s singles at the 2020 Summer Olympics, her seventh time, having previously qualified and participated in Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016, recently announced her decision to contest a position in the 10C as one of athletes’ representatives. She gave the hint on the same social media platform, calling on all Olympians all over the world to vote for her.

“Yes, I will be at the Paris 2024 Olympics. It’s going to be my 8th Olympic Games, but not as a playing athlete, but a step higher and another big challenge. I am very happy and excited to have qualified to be one of the IOC AC election candidates. It’s really a big privilege. I will be happy to be a voice representing all the Olympians all over the world. To all the Olympians all over the world, vote for Olufunke Oshonaike. I speak the language of Olympians,” she wrote.

The IOC Athletes’ Commission comprises 15 members who represent athletes within the Olympic Movement and support them to succeed in their sporting and non-sporting careers.

Oshonaike holds the record as the first female athlete to participate in seven editions of the Olympic Games, having represented Nigeria at Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016, and 2020.