"Always Dreamt Of Being An Olympian" — Michelle Yeoh On Being Elected As IOC Member
According to the Oscar-winning Malaysian actress, she "never dreamt of being an actress".
By Sadho Ram — 18 Oct 2023, 03:00 PM
Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh is now an Olympian.
Well... kind of!
The Malaysian-born actress has been elected as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). She is one of the eight new members voted in on the final day of the 141st IOC session in Mumbai, India.
The inclusion of Yeoh and three other women led to increased female representation among the IOC membership, with 41.1%, according to a press statement by the non-governmental sports organisation.
Michelle Yeoh (in the middle) along with other newly elected members of the IOC.
Image via Greg Martin/IOCYeoh — who once represented Malaysia at the national level in sports such as swimming, diving, and squash — said she never wanted to become an actress and had "always dreamt of being an Olympian"
"I remember when someone asked me, how did you become an actress? I always said, 'I never dreamt of being an actress, but as a child, I always dreamt of being an Olympian'," said Yeoh, who was the Perak state representative for squash and once the Malaysian Junior Squash Champion.
"Sports was very much part of my life growing up, I was very much involved with squash, athletics, swimming and diving. It has always been there and growing, but how do I find a way to join this [IOC] family? They are very tight-knit and also they have to be very sure that you share their passion, you share their commitment and ideology. So, it took me a little while to ensure this is what I do believe in and I need to be part of this family," she added during the oath, as reported by BBC.
Yeoh taking the oath as a member of the IOC during the 141st IOC session in Mumbai.
Image via The Straits Times/AFP