Ahead of the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 26, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that Nita M. Ambani, a leading Indian philanthropist and founder of the Reliance Foundation, has been re-elected unanimously as the IOC member from India at the 142nd IOC session in Paris.
Established in on 23 June 1894, the International Olympic Committee is a non-governmental sports organisation. Based in Lausanne, Switzerland, the Olympic Capital, it is entirely privately funded and distributes 90 per cent of its revenues to the wider sporting movement, for the development of sport and athletes at all levels.
Commenting on the news, Nita said, “I am deeply honored to be re-elected as a member of the International Olympic Committee. I would like to thank President Bach and all my colleagues in the IOC for their faith and trust in me.”
“This re-election is not just a personal milestone but also a recognition of India's growing influence in the global sporting arena. I share this moment of joy and pride with every Indian and look forward to continuing our efforts to strengthen the Olympic Movement in India and around the world,” she added.
First appointed to the prestigious body in 2016 during the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, Nita Ambani has made significant strides as India’s first woman to join the IOC. She has been a strong advocate for India’s sporting ambitions and Olympic vision. Her efforts include hosting the first IOC session in Mumbai in over 40 years in October 2023, an event that showcased the new, ambitious India to the world.
As the founder and chairperson of the Reliance Foundation, which focuses on promoting various sports across India, especially in remote areas where access to sport and equipment is limited, Nita has empowered millions of Indians with resources and opportunities across various sectors including sport, education, health, art, and culture.
In a long-term partnership with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Reliance Foundation is set to host the first-ever India House at the Paris Olympics 2024 this summer. India House will serve as a "home away from home" for athletes, a place to celebrate wins, and share India’s Olympic journey with the world. This initiative demonstrates India’s ambitions to become a dominant force in global sports, fostering greater success at the Olympics and paving the way for hosting the Games in the future.
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