07 March 2025
King’s College London PhD student Jordan Joel has been selected as a new member of the International Olympic Committee Young Leaders programme for 2025-2028.
One of just 25 selected, Jordan will represent his home country of Nigeria. Over the next four years he will be working with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to deliver a sports-based project that tackles a social issue in their community. Jordan’s proposed project focuses on building an international student athlete support programme for individuals from developing nations.
“While growing up in Nigeria, I witnessed a lot of my friends from high-school give up on their sporting dreams to chase their academics. This was societally encouraged because there was little to no support as a student-athlete. I am currently doing my PhD and I am still competing in Taekwondo because I believe sports and academics do work together. I want to help others who want to thrive in both areas achieve their dreams.”
Jordan competes in Taekwondo
The committee received over 5,000 applications from 169 countries and territories. To be selected as one of just 25 is a great honour.
“I am so grateful and excited to be selected. I have loved and played sports all my life and with this opportunity I get to give back to my community. It feels unreal that I have been given such a platform to create social change through sports. In particular, I am passionate about supporting student athletes and encouraging others that sports and academics complement each other. I want to see less students give up on their sporting dreams from a young age but instead help others to succeed academically and in their chosen sport. It is possible to do both,” said Jordan.
“Coming from 25 countries and territories across five continents, this new cohort of IOC Young Leaders brings together a diverse group of passionate changemakers who will work to develop innovative projects aligned with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” explained the spokesperson for the IOC.
Jordan is a PhD student in the Centre for Craniofacial & Regenerative Biology
Jordan is a PhD research student in genetics and cell biology in the Centre for Craniofacial & Regenerative Biology at King’s. He is a King’s Sports Scholar, taking part in the KCL Sports Performance Programme which aims to identify and advance the University’s most talented individual student-athletes and sports teams. Jordan also won a faculty award last year - PGR Colleague of the Year for his Research Centre – for creating a fitness club that promotes sports, wellbeing and networking.
Said Professor Andrea Streit, Centre Lead for Craniofacial & Regenerative Biology:
“Pursuing a PhD in science while excelling in sports requires immense dedication and discipline. Jordan’s passion to merge both is fantastic. We are very proud of him to be selected as one of the IOC Young leaders, which will give him the opportunity to share his enthusiasm and encourage others to chase their dreams.”