IOC President Kirsty Coventry has described 2026 as a pivotal and inspiring year for the Olympic Movement, thanking the global Olympic community for its support during her first months in office.
Iran
NOC; Tehran: In her New Year message, Coventry reflected on six months of
dialogue and engagement across the Movement, saying the passion and commitment
she has encountered have helped shape her early presidency. She highlighted the
Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games as the first major milestone of the
year, calling them a new model for Winter Olympics where innovation meets
tradition, gender equality is further advanced and existing world-class venues
take center stage. With the Olympic torch already travelling across Italy,
Coventry said the Games will celebrate regions where winter sport is part of
everyday life, setting a strong foundation for the future of the Winter Games.
As the first Olympics of her presidency, she stressed her determination to
deliver a successful edition for athletes, hosts and the wider Olympic
Movement.
Attention
will later shift to Africa with the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the first
Olympic event ever staged on the continent. Coventry described Dakar as a
historic milestone for Senegal and Africa, highlighting its potential to
showcase creativity, energy and optimism while inspiring young people
worldwide. Looking beyond events, Coventry pointed to the ongoing “Fit for the
Future” consultation, which is engaging stakeholders across the Olympic
community. She said the process is generating practical ideas that will
translate into concrete recommendations later in the year, helping to shape a
stronger, more united and future-ready Olympic Movement.
Coventry
concluded by expressing optimism for a year defined by unity, progress and
shared achievement, inviting the Olympic community to continue the journey
together through what she called a truly special Olympic year.