IOC President Coventry calls on the Olympic Movement to push its boundaries while underlining: “Our game is sport”

LAN, February 3, 2026 – International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry has called on the IOC to continue to develop like athletes competing at the Games: “To grow and to excel, [athletes] persistently push their limits. They step out of their comfort zone. They fail, they adapt, they get back up, and they try again — always driven by the belief that they can be better. That’s what progress looks like,” Coventry, a double Olympic Champion in swimming, said in her speech to the 145th IOC Session in Milan ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

The same spirit is needed to lead the Olympic Movement, she explained: “If we want to stay strong, we have to push our own boundaries. We have to be honest about what works and sometimes, more importantly, what doesn’t. And when we make mistakes, we need the courage to say: we’ll do better next time.” This is what the current Fit for the Future process is all about, explained Coventry in the first Session speech of her Presidency: “Keeping the mindset of an athlete: always learning, always improving, never standing still.”

The Olympic Games are stronger than ever, Coventry said, referencing the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as a proof point. “But to keep them that way, we must keep evolving. That starts with one of the most important conversations ahead: the future of the Olympic Games themselves — and, in particular, the Olympic Programme.”
The world is going through a profound change that touches every area of life. It would be dangerous to rest on our laurels, she stressed. “We have to make sure the Games remain inspiring for young people everywhere – that they reflect their values, their sense of authenticity, and their search for something genuine,” Coventry stated.

She continued: “Finding the right balance between tradition and innovation, between stability and flexibility. It means we have to look at our sports, disciplines and events with fresh eyes – to make sure that we are evolving with our times. And we must recognise that any evolution will affect all of us: athletes, federations, NOCs, organisers, fans and others. Through Fit for the Future, we are creating the space to have these conversations openly and respectfully, to listen to every voice, and to make decisions that serve the long-term interests of the Games as a whole. I know these discussions can be, and potentially will be, uncomfortable, but they are essential if we want to keep the Games strong for generations to come.”

Coventry reminded her audience that “evolution doesn’t mean instability. It means renewal — making sure our organisation reflects the world we live in today, while staying true to our mission.”

At the heart of that mission is sport, she said, relaying what many IOC Members had told her this during her campaign for the Presidency. “[We must] focus on our core. We are a sports organisation. We understand politics, and we know we don’t operate in a vacuum. But our game is sport.”

Coventry said: “That means keeping sport a neutral ground — a place where every athlete can compete freely, without being held back by the politics or divisions of their governments. In a world that is increasingly divided, this principle matters more than ever. It is what allows the Olympic Games to remain a place of inspiration, where the athletes of the world can come together and showcase the best of our humanity.”

The IOC President further underlined the importance of focussing on the core when she emphasised: “We cannot be all things to all people. The Olympic Games, and the values they represent, are our greatest asset. Of course, sport plays a wider role in health, inclusion, and education — and we will continue to support this. But our first responsibility is to keep the Games strong and meaningful, so that they remain a source of hope and inspiration for generations to come. That’s where our strength lies. That’s what makes us different. And that’s what the world needs from us.”