Kuwait City, Kuwait, May 12, 2025: President-elect of the International Olympic Committee, Kirsty Coventry, has identified Asia as being a central cog in the Olympic Movement and its future.
Addressing delegates from 45 Asian National Olympic Committees on the second day of the 45th Olympic Council of Asia General Assembly in Kuwait, Coventry emphasised the need for a strong and united Asia supported by a strong OCA.
“Asia has always had 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 just a vital part of the Olympic community, you are central to its future. A strong and united Asia supported by a strong OCA is so important for our entire Movement,” Coventry said in her first formal address as IOC President-elect.
Coventry will take up the IOC Presidency from incumbent Thomas Bach on June 23, 2025.
The first woman and the first IOC President from outside Europe or North America, Coventry promised to listen to the voice of the National Olympic Committees and represent them all to the very best of her ability.
“As I begin my journey as IOC President, my first priority is to listen,” Coventry, an Olympian herself, told Asia’s sporting leaders. “I want to hear from you - from your NOCs, from your athletes - about what you need, what you expect, and how you see your role in shaping the future of our Olympic Movement.
“Because it is only by listening that we can truly listen from one another, and move forward together,” Coventry emphasised.
“As a proud Olympian, I can promise you this: athletes will remain at the heart of everything I do. But the question is ‘how do we better support athletes on their journey to become Olympians?
“To do this, we need to listen carefully to the athletes themselves, and to the NOCs who work tirelessly to support them every step of the way. That is why I see the work of the IOC in two broad pillars – one at elite level, delivering the Olympic Games, and secondly at the community level, spreading our Olympic values among the people,” Coventry said.
Coventry, a former Olympic swimmer, medal winner and world record holder, said one of her most memorable Olympic moments was in Asia – walking into the Bird’s Nest for the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympics.
“The Beijing Olympics raised the bar for all of us. Its sheer scale was something I will never forget. Since 2008, Asia has certainly left its mark on our Olympic Movement hosting an unprecedented three consecutive Olympic Games this past decade – PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games; Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and Beijing 2022 Winter Games.
“With the inaugural Olympic Esports Games 2027 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Asia will be a trailblazer again in the near future, embracing innovation and reaching young people. So let me thank OCA President Raja Randhir Singh and his team for the good work in strengthening the community and athletes,” Coventry said.
Coventry concluded by saying: “I’m looking forward to the future with all of you and looking forward to hearing from all of you to ensure that our Olympic Movement remains relevant.”
