Lausanne, Switzerland, January 5, 2026: IOC President Kirsty Coventry has described 2026 as a pivotal and inspiring year for the Olympic Movement, and has thanked the global Olympic community for its support during the first months in office.
In her New Year message, Coventry reflected on six months of dialogue and engagement across the Olympic Movement, saying the passion and commitment she has encountered have helped shape her early presidency.
She highlighted the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games as the first major milestone of the year, calling them a model for Winter Olympics where innovation meets tradition, gender equality is further advanced and existing world-class venues take centre stage.
As the first Olympics of her presidency, Coventry stressed her determination to deliver a successful edition for athletes, hosts and the wider Olympic Movement. Attention will later shift to Africa for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the first Olympic event staged on the continent.
Looking beyond events, Coventry pointed to the ongoing ‘Fit for the Future’ consultation, which is engaging stakeholders across the Olympic community.
The IOC president 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.