The IOC Executive Board (EB) agreed to propose eight new members to join the International Olympic Committee at the session to be held between July 22 and 24 in Paris 2024. The IOC Electoral Commission decided, after collecting and studying all the background information on each of the candidates, to officially notify those elected and to comply with the mandate on this matter established by the Olympic Charter itself. Among the eight illustrious names, three come from the National Olympic Committees, highlighting the nomination of Damaris Young Aranda, who has served as president of the COP since 2021, succeeding Camilo Amado, one of her great mentors in the Panamanian leadership.

Damaris Young is a lawyer, graduated in Law and Political Sciences, she has dedicated her life to sports and academic studies, adding specializations in psychology, she passed the Official Master’s Degree in Sports Law at the University of Lleida (Spain). In 2014 he obtained the Alberto Madella award from the International Olympic Committee for the best Master’s degree work in management of Olympic Sports Organizations. In 2020 he completed his Master’s degree in Olympic Studies at the German University of Sport. Since 2015 she has been a member of the IOC Athlete Environment Commission and is Legal Advisor to the South American Sports Organization. In the period 2019-2020 she was Advisor in Legal Affairs and Sports Management for the Constitutional President of the Republic of Panama, Mr. Cortizo Cohen, period 2021-2024. As if that were not enough, on the court she had been an international basketball player for Panama in different categories reaching the gold medal in the 2010 Central American Games and was awarded a scholarship for her high performance by Memorial University (USA) where she was part of soccer and basketball competing in the NCAA.

Damaris has a brilliant professional career, has crossed the threshold and borders to become in a short time an export leader. In SportsIn we have chatted with her after this news and to know her first impressions.

I imagine that the nomination to become IOC Member comes at a unique and magical moment for you and the Panama Olympic Committee.

Thank you very much. First of all, it is a recognition of the work of many people who have made it possible for us to achieve today, as Panama’s Olympic Committee, and also to have a certain relevant impact in the region. On the other hand, it is an honor and a source of pride that my name has been considered for all the work I have done in the Olympic Movement from our organization. That has allowed me to be in other international spheres, in the IOC, where I am part of a commission? But in the end, it is an extension to each one of those people who work very hard every day to achieve those objectives and those goals that we have set for ourselves.

Were you surprised by this recognition for IOC membership?

There are many people in the Olympic Movement who have allowed this to become a reality. All the directors, the presidents in this case of the continentals, have been key to this exploration process and, to tell the truth, I thank each one of them in a very special and spiritual way. A few days ago I had already been contacted and asked some questions and I was informed that I was nominated to be submitted to the Electoral Commission and then they explained to me what the process was.

Since I was going to the IOC Executive Committee, I was also asked for personal information in case I was elected. But, what happened now honestly surprised me because this Saturday we had had an event to launch all of Panama’s sports apparel and I was not so aware of it. I knew that the IOC Executive Committee was looking into the matter, but when I woke up this Sunday at 8:15 a.m.? There I see all the messages and I said: It can’t be! It’s true! So nothing, the truth, I am grateful again and also committed to continue working. I insist, it is a recognition for all the people who make all this possible with their actions that today I have this recognition to be nominated for IOC Member.

What is the procedure, are we talking about an acclamation, election or ratification at the 142nd IOC Session from July 22 to 24 in Paris?

The Executive Committee of the International Olympic Committee has proposed this IOC Members Election Commission, as it has sent the names and background of the candidates and, as established in the Olympic Charter, it will be up to the IOC Members to elect. In effect, to vote with respect to those Members that are being nominated or proposed. I do not know, because I have never been to a session of the International Olympic Committee to be able to tell you exactly how it works, but well, from what some IOC Members of America tell me, in fact, many have called me and have told me that, basically, the Executive Committee submits to the consideration of the Assembly for ratification, it is a normal procedure, but that has you with a tension typical of the moment that you are going to live in a few days.

Damaris, we were at the acclamation of Neven Ilic and, later of Camilo Pérez López Moreira and it is effective that the oath to be IOC Member is the culminating and most awaited moment, so be prepared to represent your country and the continent…

I can not fail to mention and thank two great mentors, both Neven and Camilo, are examples of leadership in our region and with their actions have generated really important transformations in the sport of America. So it is an honor and a privilege to be nominated and considered, even more, for a country like ours, so small, it is really a great honor. As a woman and a person who comes from sports and who has dedicated my whole life to it since I was 10 years old. And, now, to wait for that moment to come and enjoy it as it should be and as everything is new, just wait. Notice that this morning I received many calls, including from IOC Members from the region and from other places with whom I have had the opportunity to talk, I have felt the genuine recognition of all of them for this nomination. The truth is that I am thrilled because they are part of the Olympic Movement and are a fundamental part of what I have done and to be honored with this recognition.

If you allow me at this point of reflection and thanks, my gratitude goes to a great leader of luxury within Central America and the Caribbean, as Don Luis Mejia Oviedo, who was very important in this transcendent step that I am taking in the Olympic world. As I have said publicly and privately, I have been fortunate to have great mentors in the sport, who have given me a helping hand, unconditional help to achieve the goals that we have set as an organization and many thanks to SportsIn for being aware of what is happening with the sport of the Olympic Committees in the region.