Michelle Kang, a Korean-American businesswoman and owner of a women's professional soccer team, has been awarded the European Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI) Champion Award by the International Olympic Committee, while Asian recognition goes to former volleyball player Kim Yeon-koung.
Michelle Kang, a prominent Korean-American entrepreneur and owner of a women's professional soccer team, has been recognized as the European recipient of the International Olympic Committee's Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI) Champion Award for 2025. Kang, who is also the president of Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, received this initiation for her substantial investments and efforts towards driving structural changes within women's soccer. The IOC praised her commitment to improving youth training, supporting professional advancement, and enhancing the health and performance of female athletes through initiatives such as the establishment of the 'Kang Institute for Women'.
In her role as a founder of Cognizant, a major player in US healthcare information technology, Kang has made significant contributions to the development of women's sports by acquiring teams like the Washington Spirit in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and various clubs across Europe. She champions a vision of sustainable and independent women's sports underpinned by the principle that "equality means equal outcomes". Moreover, as the president of Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, one of the most prestigious clubs in women's soccer, she aligns her efforts with enhancing the representation and equity within the broader sports community, having been recognized as one of the 25 most influential figures by the Financial Times last year.
In addition, Kim Yeon-koung has been awarded the Asian counterpart of the GEDI Champion Award. Acknowledged for her leadership both on and off the court, Kim has been instrumental in promoting gender equality and athlete welfare. She is actively working through her foundation, the Kim Yeon-koung Foundation, which was established in 2024 to erase financial and structural barriers hindering the participation of girls and young women in sports. Both awards underline significant strides towards improving women's roles and representation in the sports industry on different scales, showcasing the importance of leadership in fostering an inclusive sporting environment.
