In the grand arena of international sports, where every victory is a testament to skill and every defeat a lesson in resilience, a silent battle rages against forces seeking to undermine its very essence. Competition manipulation, a shadowy threat to the purity of athletic endeavor, continuously challenges the foundational principles of fair play. To bolster its defenses, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has strategically expanded its `Believe in Sport` program, welcoming a new, highly respected voice: Esra Gümüş Kırıcı, the legendary former captain of Türkiye`s women’s national volleyball team. Her appointment marks a significant moment, marrying an iconic athletic career with a crucial mission to safeguard the future of sport.
From Spikes to Stewardship: Kırıcı`s Journey of Dedication
For decades, Esra Gümüş Kırıcı was a name synonymous with power, precision, and an indomitable spirit on the volleyball court. Her career, ignited in 1995 with VakıfBank Istanbul, saw her ascend to the sport`s highest echelons. She led Eczacıbaşı VitrA to a cascade of domestic titles, including the CEV Champions League and the coveted FIVB Volleyball Club World Championship in 2015. On the international stage, her leadership was equally profound. With nearly 300 caps for Türkiye, she captained the national team during their historic debut at the London 2012 Olympic Games, a moment of immense national pride and a testament to her inspirational guidance.
Her path after retiring from professional play wasn`t one of quiet retreat but a seamless transition into continued service to sports. Kırıcı diversified her contributions, lecturing in sports sciences, offering expert commentary, and diligently serving as an administrator with the Turkish Olympic Committee. This rich tapestry of experience—from the raw physicality of elite competition to the analytical rigor of academia and the strategic demands of administration—positions her uniquely to understand and address the multifaceted challenges facing modern athletes. Who better to champion integrity than someone who has lived and breathed the sport at every level?
The `Believe in Sport` Mandate: A Bulwark Against Undue Influence
The `Believe in Sport` program is far more than a public relations exercise; it is the IOC`s proactive, educational initiative designed to arm athletes and their entourages against the insidious pressures of competition manipulation. This term encompasses a range of illicit activities, from sophisticated match-fixing schemes to the undue influence of illegal betting, all of which distort the outcome of sporting contests and betray the trust of fans worldwide. Ambassadors, carefully selected and rigorously trained at Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland, serve as the front-line educators in this ongoing battle.
Their mission is clear: to demystify the risks, to foster an environment where ethical breaches are not only identified but reported without hesitation, and to consistently promote integrity and fair play as non-negotiable pillars of sport. One might observe, perhaps with a touch of weary irony, that the need for such a program highlights the persistent human inclination to seek shortcuts, even in pursuits meant to celebrate pure effort. Yet, the IOC’s unwavering commitment, evident in the program’s continuous expansion from the Tokyo 2020 Games through Paris 2024 and now into the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, underscores a pragmatic understanding: safeguarding the sanctity of competition requires constant, vigilant advocacy.
Kırıcı`s Credibility: A Voice That Resonates
As one of ten distinguished ambassadors for the 2025 to 2028 cycle, Esra Gümüş Kırıcı`s role will be to translate complex ethical guidelines into relatable, actionable advice. Her immense credibility, earned through decades of uncompromising dedication to fair competition, makes her an ideal messenger. She understands, intimately, the immense pressures athletes face—the allure of financial gain, the fear of failure, the weight of expectation. It is this lived experience that will enable her to connect with current athletes on a deeply empathetic level, turning abstract warnings into tangible, personal guidance.
Her appointment is not merely ceremonial. It’s a strategic deployment of an authentic, powerful voice—a testament to the IOC’s recognition that the most effective advocates for sporting ethics are those who have not only walked the path but excelled upon it with unwavering moral compasses. In an era where the lines between commercial interest and sporting purity can sometimes blur, Kırıcı’s ambassadorship serves as a powerful reaffirmation of what truly matters: the unblemished spirit of competition, where triumph is earned through merit, not manipulation.
Esra Gümüş Kırıcı`s transition from a formidable force on the volleyball court to a global advocate for sporting ethics marks a compelling new chapter. Her commitment ensures that the belief in sport – and in fair play – continues to resonate powerfully, inspiring generations of athletes to come to uphold the very ideals that make sport truly great.
Rupert Caldwell 
Felix Harwood