Academy Award Winner Reveals Surprising Childhood “Olympian” Aspirations After Joining the International Olympic Committee

The 2024 Paris Olympics are 281 days away and its excitement is increasing with each passing day. Every sport is currently making headlines for its achievements and its stars preparing for Paris. However, a new member of the International Olympic Committee also made major headlines after being named as one of the eight new recruits of the IOC.

Michelle Yeoh is a 61-year-old Oscar-winning Malaysian actress and a newly appointed member of the International Olympic Committee. The celebrated actress recently gave an interview where she spoke about becoming a part of the IOC and her way forward. In fact, Yeoh also revealed a previously untold dream of hers.

The untold dream of the newest IOC member

Michelle Yeoh is known for her sharp and gritty action sequences which made her a star in Hollywood. Yeoh is especially associated with martial arts by the American audience, who have fallen in love with her acting and precise fighting techniques. Yeoh built on her newfound footing and even won the Best Actress Oscar award this year. While winning the Oscar is the dream of every actor, Yeoh recently revealed a childhood dream of hers. 

Michelle Yeoh spoke about this secret childhood dream in an interview with Olympics.com. The actress said, “Ever since I was little… You know, when you watch, when you race, when you compete, I had that one dream that maybe I could be an Olympian (laughs). But then, of course, I didn’t manage it because I’m not as gifted in that way. And my career went to another place.” The International Olympic Committee member said that this dream had its roots in her highly sporty childhood.

“As a child, I ran, I swam, I was into springboard diving… I actually was the junior champion of Malaysia in squash. So I was exposed to all forms of sports. I learnt at a very young age what it means to be sporting because it teaches you discipline and good behavior,” revealed Yeoh. While her dream of being an Olympian couldn’t come true, she now holds a prestigious position with the Olympics. The actress stated that she is very happy that she joined the IOC. In fact, she said that she thinks her work is already cut out for her at the IOC.

The eight-year mission of Michelle Yeoh

Michelle Yeoh revealed that she is very thrilled to work as an IOC member for an eight-year tenure. The Oscar awardee has already worked with the United Nations Development Program as its goodwill ambassador. Yeoh said that she is aware of the weight as well as the opportunities such a position can bring. Yeoh revealed that she was proud of the work the IOC had done and praised them for assembling a special team for global refugees. 

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The Malaysian actress recognized sports as a universal language for love, respect, and dignity. She noted that providing an entryway to refugees in sports is highly beneficial, especially for their children. Yeoh said that she hoped to work with the refugee team and bring a sense of hope to all the refugees around the world. Although her childhood dream couldn’t become a reality, Yeoh looks forward to enabling many more to live that dream.

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