President of the International Olympic Committee calls for keeping politics neutral and focusing on the essence of sport.
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President of the International Olympic Committee Kirsty Coventry during her speech on the first day of the 145th General Assembly, Milan, February 3, 2026.
The new President of the International Olympic Committee, Kirsty Coventry, called for a focus on sport away from political disputes, emphasizing that maintaining the neutrality of the Olympic Movement is the cornerstone of its continued success and global mission.
Coventry’s remarks came on Tuesday during the opening of the IOC summit in the Italian city of Milan, just days before the start of the Winter Olympic Games scheduled for next Friday. She stressed that Olympic values represent the greatest assets of the sports movement.
Coventry said in her speech to the 145th General Assembly: “We cannot be everything to everyone. The Olympic Games and the values they represent are our greatest assets,” affirming that the International Olympic Committee must remain primarily a sports organization.
A Cautious Approach Since Assuming Presidency
Since her election last March, the former Zimbabwean swimmer, 42, has launched extensive consultations on the future of the Olympic Movement, adopting a cautious approach regarding political issues, unlike the expansion seen by the Committee during the presidency of her German predecessor, Thomas Bach.
During Bach’s tenure, the International Olympic Committee expanded its scope of intervention, establishing itself as a supreme authority among global sports bodies on issues of environmental impact, human rights, competition integrity, and combating violence in sport.
Sport as Neutral Ground
Coventry added to the Committee members: “I heard the same message from many of you during the election campaign and the subsequent dialogues: Focus on the core of our work. We are a sports organization.”
She continued: “We understand politics and realize we do not operate in a vacuum, but our game is sport. This means maintaining sport as neutral ground, a place where every athlete can compete without being hindered by the politics or divisions of their government.”
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is a non-governmental organization founded in 1894 by Pierre de Coubertin to revive the ancient Olympic Games. It is the supreme authority of the Olympic Movement, responsible for organizing the modern Summer and Winter Olympic Games and promoting Olympism worldwide.
Milan
Milan is a major city in northern Italy, renowned as a global capital of fashion and design. Historically, it served as the capital of the Western Roman Empire in the 4th century and later became a dominant center during the Renaissance under the ruling Visconti and Sforza families, which funded iconic landmarks like the Duomo di Milano.
Italy
Italy is a country in Southern Europe with a rich cultural history that dates back to ancient times, being the heart of the Roman Empire and later the birthplace of the Renaissance. Its numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, from the Colosseum in Rome to the historic centers of Florence and Venice, reflect its profound influence on Western art, architecture, and culture.
Winter Olympic Games
The Winter Olympic Games are a major international multi-sport event held every four years for sports practiced on snow and ice. First held in 1924 in Chamonix, France, the Games have evolved to include a wide range of disciplines and have been hosted across three continents.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a country in southern Africa, named after the ancient city of Great Zimbabwe, a stone ruin from the 11th to 15th centuries that was the capital of a powerful kingdom. The modern nation gained independence from British colonial rule in 1980, following a period known as Rhodesia. It is known for its diverse landscapes, including Victoria Falls, and a rich cultural heritage from the Shona and Ndebele peoples.
Thomas Bach
Thomas Bach is a German former fencer who currently serves as the ninth President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), elected in 2013. He won a gold medal in team foil at the 1976 Montreal Olympics and previously held leadership roles in the German and international sports administration.
Germany
Germany is a country in Central Europe with a complex history, having been a collection of states for centuries before unifying in 1871. It was a central power in both World Wars, and its post-World War II division into East and West Germany symbolized the Cold War, before reunifying in 1990. Today, it is a leading economic and political force in the European Union, known for its rich cultural heritage in philosophy, music, and science.
