Former Kenya Sevens captain Humphrey Kayange lands prestigious job at Olympics

Former Kenya Sevens stalwart Humphrey Kayange has secured one of the most prestigious roles in global sport after being elected Second Vice-Chair of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Commission.

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Kayange was voted into the position during the IOC Athletes’ Commission (AC) meeting in Milan, Italy, joining a new leadership team that will guide the commission through to the Los Angles 2028 Olympic Games.

Spain’s Pau Gasol was elected Chair, Poland’s Maja Włoszczowska retained her role as First Vice-Chair, while Canada’s Oluseyi Smith will occupy the newly created Third Vice-Chair position.

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The new team takes over from outgoing Chair Emma Terho, who made history as the longest-serving female Chair of the Commission.

For Kayange, the elevation marks another significant milestone in his steady rise within the Olympic Movement. The former Kenya rugby sevens captain joined the IOC Athletes’ Commission during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and has since built an impressive résumé in sports governance.

In 2022, he was appointed to the Coordination Commission for the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics and, in 2025, rose to become its Chair, a clear indication of the confidence placed in his leadership at the highest level.

Gasol, a five-time Olympian, brings vast experience to the helm of the commission. The Spanish basketball legend clinched silver medals at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic Games and a bronze at Rio 2016.

Since his election to the IOC AC at Tokyo 2020, he has served on the Coordination Commission for the LA28 Games and on the IOC Ethics Commission.

Speaking after his election, Gasol described the appointment as both an honour and a responsibility.

“This is a big moment to be able to take on the responsibility of leading our Commission. Since I was elected in Tokyo in 2021, it’s been an incredible learning journey that I am excited to continue.

We have a unique opportunity until LA28 to make significant strides and build on the progress that we have made already. It’s about working together; the stronger we work together, the more we will accomplish,” he said.

As Chair, Gasol will sit on the IOC Executive Board, ensuring that the athletes’ voice remains central in the highest level of decision-making within the Olympic Movement.

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Włoszczowska, a four-time Olympian and double silver medalist, continues in her vice-chair capacity after first being elected to the Commission at Tokyo 2020 and later to her vice-chair role at Paris 2024. She has also served on the IOC Athletes’ Entourage Commission since 2022.

Smith, appointed to the IOC AC in 2022, boasts a unique Olympic résumé, having represented Canada at both the Summer and Winter Games.

He competed in the 4x100m relay at London 2012 before switching to bobsleigh, finishing sixth in the four-man event at PyeongChang 2018. He is also a participant in the IOC Young Leaders program.

Terho, who was first elected to the Commission at PyeongChang 2018 before becoming Chair at Tokyo 2020, expressed pride in the Commission’s progress during her tenure and congratulated the incoming leadership team as they prepare to steer the athletes’ agenda toward LA28.

The IOC Athletes’ Commission remains a central pillar of the Olympic Movement. Composed of up to 23 members, 12 are elected directly by athletes during the Olympic Games, while up to 11 are appointed to ensure balanced representation across gender, regions, and sports.

Fifteen members represent athletes at the IOC Session, matching the number of representatives from National Olympic Committees and International Federations.