LAUSANNE, Switzerland (Mar 7, 2025) - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced the recipients of the IOC's Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Award on March 7, recognizing outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to promoting these values in sports. In the Asia region, Saudi Arabia’s Dunya Ali Abutaleb was honored with the prestigious award.
World Taekwondo President Dr. Chungwon Choue congratulated Dunya Ali Abutaleb on her well-deserved recognition and expressed his gratitude to the IOC for honoring her remarkable achievements.
Dunya Ali Abutaleb, a Taekwondo Olympian, made history as the first Saudi woman to qualify for the Olympic Games on her own merit. She overcame numerous challenges to compete in her first Olympic Games at Paris 2024 in the women's -49kg category. A resilient and dedicated athlete, Dunya defied societal expectations by pursuing a sport from which women were previously barred in Saudi Arabia. Her journey to the Olympics was marked by determination and perseverance, culminating in her qualification through the Asian qualifiers.
Dunya is also the first female athlete from Saudi Arabia to medal at the World Taekwondo Championships, when she won bronze at the 2022 edition in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Dunya began practicing Taekwondo at the age of eight, during a time when opportunities for girls in sports were limited in Saudi Arabia. Despite societal barriers, she proved that obstacles to participation in sports can be overcome with persistence. Through her journey, she has become a visible role model, inspiring many young Saudi women and girls to engage in physical activity and pursue their athletic dreams.
Passionate about gender equality in sports, Dunya believes that women and girls should have increased opportunities and greater visibility across various media platforms. Her presence in the media has played a crucial role in raising awareness of the inequalities women face in sports. By presenting herself as a strong and capable athlete, she has challenged stereotypes and empowered women and girls to see themselves as equally deserving of representation in competitive sports.
Beyond her personal achievements, Dunya dedicates her time to mentoring young athletes, including coaching aspiring female Taekwondo athletes. She remains committed to advancing gender equality and inclusion in sports, serving as an inspiration for a new generation of female athletes in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
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