— Published on May 18, 2025

Kirsty Coventry: "My first priority is to listen"

FOCUSInstitutions Focus

After Dakar, where she found the Coordination Commission for the 2026 Youth Olympic GamesKirsty Coventry traveled to Kuwait for the General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia. There, she delivered her first official speech as President-elect of the International Olympic Committee. It was an opportunity to showcase the full scope of her mandate, primarily during the first few months.

Giving voice to NOCs and athletes

The IOC's universal vocation remains the same, but the symbolism of the election of its first female president from Africa undoubtedly reinforces it. The former swimmer, who remains the most decorated African athlete in the history of the Olympic Games (seven medals, including two gold), intends to meet the high expectations the Movement places in her. Her method: dialogue. “My first priority is to listen, she announced in front of the members of the OCA. I want to hear what you have to say – your NOCs, your athletes – about what you need, what you expect and how you see your role in building the future of our Olympic Movement.”

The Zimbabwean had already stated that she wanted to consult a number of stakeholders regarding the IOC's trajectory in the coming years, wanting to co-construct this future. “As a proud Olympian, I can promise you this: athletes will remain at the heart of everything I do. But the question is how can we better support athletes on their journey to becoming Olympians?”, she insists. To do this, we must listen carefully to the athletes themselves and to the NOCs who work tirelessly to support them at every stage of their journey.”

Asia "at the heart of the Olympic future"

Coventry will officially succeed Thomas Bach on June 23. Her term will quickly take on an Asian focus with the World Swimming Championships in Singapore (July 11 to August 3), the World Games in Chengdu (August 7-17), and the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo (September 13-21). A continent that the IOC president-elect is holding up as an example. “Asia has always held a special place in the Olympic Movement and in my heart. It is a region full of dynamism, passion, innovation, and ambition. You are not only a vital part of the Olympic community, you are at the heart of its future.”, she stressed, calling for “a strong and united Asia, supported by a strong OCA.”

At the center of attention with the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games, the Tokyo 2020 Games and the Beijing 2022 Winter Games, the continent will once again be mobilized in 2027 for an unprecedented event, on which the Olympic Movement has high hopes. “With the first eSports Olympic Games 2027 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Asia will once again be a pioneer in the near future, embracing innovation and reaching out to young people.”, she enthuses. Her term could also coincide with a prime reward for the good student: the return of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to the continent. South Korea, Indonesia, and some Gulf countries are already preparing their bids for the 2036 edition.