Nita Ambani at Paris
Paris: Ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games’ opening ceremony this weekend, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced the unanimous re-election of Nita M. Ambani, leading Indian philanthropist and Founder of the Reliance Foundation, as the IOC member from India. She received 100% of the votes at the ongoing 142nd IOC session in Paris.
In her re-election statement, Nita Ambani expressed her deep honor and gratitude, saying, “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.”
Since her initial appointment in 2016 during the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, Nita Ambani has been a pioneering force as India’s first female IOC member. She has significantly advanced India’s Olympic vision and recently hosted the first IOC session in Mumbai in over 40 years in October 2023, showcasing India’s new and ambitious global presence.
In conjunction with her role, Reliance Foundation is set to inaugurate the first-ever India House at the Paris Olympics 2024. This “home away from home” for Indian athletes will serve as a celebration space and a showcase of India’s Olympic journey, underlining the country’s aspirations to become a major player in global sports and potentially host the Games in the future.
