Is Kristy Coventry Recognizing Asia's Role in the Olympic Movement?

Beijing (China), May 13 (NationPress) The President-elect of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Kirsty Coventry, referred to Asia as "a vital component of the Olympic Movement" during her keynote address at the 45th General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) on Tuesday.

Speaking to representatives from 45 OCA member committees at the assembly held in Kuwait, the former swimming champion from Zimbabwe underscored Asia's "vitality, fervor, and aspirations" in her initial formal address since her election.

"Asia has always held a significant position within the Olympic Movement—and in my heart. You are essential to its future," stated Coventry, who is set to succeed Thomas Bach on June 23.

As the first female IOC president and the first leader from outside Europe or North America, Coventry expressed her commitment to fostering dialogue with athletes, as reported by Xinhua. "My main focus is to listen—to understand your requirements, expectations, and visions for shaping our Movement," she declared, promising to keep athletes "at the core of everything".

Coventry articulated her strategy around two key pillars: the delivery of elite-level Games and the promotion of grassroots Olympic values. "We must enhance our support for athletes' journeys by listening to them and the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) guiding them," she emphasized, recalling her admiration for the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics at the Bird's Nest stadium.

She highlighted Asia's "unprecedented" achievement of hosting three consecutive Games—at PyeongChang 2018, Tokyo 2020, and Beijing 2022—and praised the continent's innovative spirit, particularly regarding the inaugural Olympic Esports Games scheduled for 2027 in Riyadh.

Earlier, IOC president Thomas Bach remarked that Asia holds "a special place in my heart" during the opening ceremony of the 45th General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) in Kuwait on Monday. Addressing the assembly for the last time before his term concludes in 2025, he emphasized Asia's crucial role during his leadership. Bach credited the three consecutive Asian-hosted Olympic Games—PyeongChang 2018, Tokyo 2020, and Beijing 2022—as the "defining chapter" of his presidency, commending the continent's resilience in the face of global challenges.

"Asia has always had, and will always have, a special place in my heart," said Bach, who received the OCA Order of Merit and praised the Asian Games as a "model of success" for other continental organizations.