Michelle Yeoh’s Role in the 2026 Winter Olympics, Explained

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Michelle Yeoh has enjoyed a remarkable career for over thirty years. She started with action films in Hong Kong, like Magnificent Warriors (1987), and then gained recognition in Hollywood with movies such as Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000). She continues to thrive in major franchises like Marvel, Star Trek, and Wicked, culminating in her Academy Award-winning role in Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022).

While Michelle Yeoh is famous for her acting, many of her greatest achievements lie in her activism. This dedication was recognized in 2024 when she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She also brings her passion for justice to the world of sports, having been elected to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2023. During her eight-year term, she’ll work to promote the Olympic spirit and fight against unfairness.

Michelle Yeoh’s First Dream Was to Be an Olympian

Image via Columbia Pictures Film

The BBC, in its coverage of Michelle Yeoh’s recent achievement, highlighted her lifelong passion for sports and the Olympics. Yeoh herself recalled being asked how she became an actress, stating, “I always say I never dreamed of being an actress, but as a child, my dream was to be an Olympian.”

You know, before Michelle Yeoh became the incredible actress we all love, she was a serious athlete! She wasn’t just dabbling either – she excelled in squash, swimming, diving, and even trained in ballet. Now, being an IOC member isn’t about competing, of course, but it still feels so right that she’s involved with the Olympics. As one of 107 members, she’s helping to shape the games, and in a way, it’s like she’s living out her Olympian dream, just from behind the scenes. It’s fantastic to see her passion for sports continue in this new capacity.

Michelle Yeoh’s IOC Membership Allows Her to Stand for Refugees

Image via A24

Michelle Yeoh recently discussed her work with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in an interview with Today while promoting Wicked. She explained her involvement with the Olympics Refuge Foundation (ORF), which enables athletes who have been displaced by war to compete in the Olympic Games as part of the Refugee Team. This team first appeared at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio and has competed in both the 2020 and 2024 games. Although the Refugee Team hasn’t yet participated in the Winter Olympics, it’s a possibility for future events.

The Refugee Team aims to represent hope during difficult times. As stated by Bach on the official Olympics website:

This represents hope for refugees everywhere and will help raise global awareness about the scale of the crisis they face. It also reminds the world that refugees are people just like us, and they contribute positively to our communities.

Yeoh further expanded upon this in an interview with Olympics.com. She stated:

Sports have a unique power to unite people, as seen in events like the Olympics, which transcend national boundaries, cultures, and languages. It’s a universal expression of love, respect, and human dignity. I believe this positive spirit can be extended to support those who need it most. I’m hoping to join the refugee team to work alongside them and share a message of joy and hope with the 110 million refugees worldwide.

Through her work with the Olympic Refugee Foundation (ORF), Yeoh is able to champion the unifying power of sports globally and build on her efforts as a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Goodwill Ambassador. By choosing to work with the ORF, she demonstrates her commitment to the Olympic spirit of bringing people together, even during conflict and hardship.

Even though the Refugee Team won’t be competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics, Michelle Yeoh is still actively involved as a member of the International Olympic Committee. She has many years remaining in her position and plans to continue supporting refugees and promoting equal access to sports for all.

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2026-02-10 07:04