Moroccan Nawal El Moutawakel was elected as vice president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The announcement was made during the second day of the 142nd IOC session in Mumbai, India.
The Moroccan athlete was elected to the position alongside Argentinian Gerardo Werthein. The two are set to begin their mandates on August 10, following the conclusion of the 142nd session.
El Moutawakel is a former Olympic champion. Her journey began at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics when she made history as the first Arab and Muslim woman to win an Olympic gold medal, triumphing in the 400m hurdles.
The historic win placed her in the record books as she shattered long-standing stereotypes about Arab women in sports.
El Moutawakel’s influence extends beyond the track. Throughout her career, El Moutawakel has worked to promote gender equality in sports across the Arab world.
In 1997, she became the first woman from a Muslim, Arab, and African nation to be elected to the IOC, and she served as a vice-president from 2012 to 2016.