PICTURES: Warm Welcome for IOC President-Elect Kirsty Coventry at Olympic House
PICTURES: Warm Welcome for IOC President-Elect Kirsty Coventry at Olympic House – Kirsty Coventry, the newly elected President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), received a heartfelt welcome from IOC staff during her first official visit to Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland.
As she entered the iconic building, she was met with a long, enthusiastic round of applause.
IOC President Thomas Bach greeted her with a bouquet of flowers, followed by a group photo with the entire staff on the symbolic staircase of the Olympic House.
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In a moving address to the team, Coventry shared her gratitude and inspiration:
“Wow. This moment will be etched in my memory forever. I’m incredibly humbled to be here. As a nine-year-old girl, I never imagined I’d stand here with the opportunity to give back to this Movement and work alongside all of you to help others realise their dreams.”
She continued, “I’m truly excited about the next eight years. My campaign was built around the Ubuntu philosophy—‘I am because we are’—and that spirit of unity will guide everything we do. I’m honoured and ready to help young dreamers around the world make their dreams a reality. Let’s make it happen. Thank you.”
Coventry’s visit comes ahead of an IOC Executive Board meeting on Wednesday, 9 April, and marks the beginning of a three-month transition period from outgoing President Thomas Bach to Coventry, who will officially assume office on Olympic Day, 23 June.
A double Olympic gold medallist in swimming from Zimbabwe, Coventry made history on 20 March 2025 when she was elected as the first female and 10th President of the IOC at the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece.
Prior to her visit to Lausanne, she attended the Continental Athletes’ Forum of Africa in Windhoek, Namibia, where she was warmly welcomed by athletes’ commission representatives across the continent. Addressing the forum, she said:
“Everything I’ve achieved—whether in sport, leadership roles in Africa, or with the IOC—has been through teamwork. I’m committed to continuing that spirit of collaboration in this new chapter.”
During her time in Namibia, Coventry also met with the country’s President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, expressing admiration for her leadership:
“I’m honoured that you are the first Head of State I’ve officially met in my role as IOC President-elect. It sends a powerful message—women are ready to lead, and Africa is ready to lead.”
President Nandi-Ndaitwah congratulated Coventry and emphasized the power of sport:
“Sport isn’t just an activity for us; it’s a vital industry that supports mental health, youth empowerment, and economic development.”
Coventry is expected to continue visiting Olympic House regularly in the lead-up to the official handover.
