Michele Kang Honored for Advancing Gender Equality in Sports
Michele Kang, the Korean-American businesswoman and president of Olympique Lyonnais, has been recognized with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) 2025 Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) Champion Awards for her significant contributions to women’s soccer. Former South Korean women’s volleyball player Kim Yeon-kyung was named the Asian winner of the award.
Kang’s Impact on Women’s Soccer
The IOC selected Kang as the European winner, citing her role as “an international investor, sports leader, and philanthropist who has led significant investments and structural changes in the field of women’s soccer.”1 Her efforts include establishing the ‘Kang Women’s Research Institute,’ focused on youth development, supporting players’ advancement to the professional level, and improving the health and performance of female athletes.
Kang is the founder of Cognosante, a medical information technology company, and has actively invested in women’s sports through the acquisition of the Washington Spirit in the National Women’s Professional Soccer League (NWSL) and several European clubs.2 She also founded Kiniska Sports International, the world’s first multi-club organization dedicated to women’s football, advocating for a sustainable and independent women’s sport based on equal outcomes.
Currently, Kang serves as the president of Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, widely regarded as the most successful women’s soccer club in Europe, with 15 domestic and 8 European titles.2 She was appointed president of the financially struggling French club in June 2025 by Eagle Football Group.3 Kang is the first woman to develop into president of a Ligue 1 club.4 In December 2024, she was named one of the “25 People of the Year” by the Financial Times.1
Kim Yeon-kyung Recognized in Asia
In the Asian category, Kim Yeon-kyung, chairman of the KYK Foundation, was honored for her leadership in promoting gender equality and player welfare. 1 The committee highlighted her operate in expanding opportunities for girls and young women in sports through the KYK Foundation, established in 2024, by addressing financial and structural barriers.
About the GEDI Champion Awards
The IOC’s GEDI Champion Awards recognize individuals who contribute to promoting gender equality, diversity, and inclusion within and outside of sports. The awards, previously known as the International Olympic Committee Women’s Sports Award (2000-2021), annually recognize six winners: one world winner and one from each continent (Africa, America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania). Abhijit Bhattacharya, former captain of the Indian men’s national volleyball team, received the 2025 World’s Best Award for his grassroots efforts to expand sports opportunities for boys and girls in rural India.