Ahead of Games' opening, IOC chief Coventry stresses the need for neutrality

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry emphasized Tuesday the critical need to keep sport a neutral ground in her speech to the 145th IOC Session, ahead of the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.

"(We must) focus on our core. We are a sports organization. We understand politics, and we know we don't operate in a vacuum, but our game is sport," Coventry spoke in front of her fellow IOC members.

Keeping sports a neutral ground, she said, is paramount, "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."

Coventry, delivering her first Session speech as president, further underscored the need to focus on the IOC's core mission.

"We cannot be all things to all people. The Olympic Games, and the values they represent, are our greatest asset," she said.

She noted that while sports plays a broader role in health, inclusion and education — and the IOC will continue supporting that — its main responsibility is ensuring the Games remain strong and meaningful.

"That's where our strength lies. That's what makes us different. And that's what the world needs from us."

Coventry, a double Olympic swimming champion, warned that the world was undergoing profound changes which touch every area of life, and resting on past successes would be risky.

"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 said.

That means striking a balance between tradition and innovation, stability and flexibility, she added. "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 recognize that any evolution will affect all of us: athletes, federations, NOCs, organizers, fans and others."

Through Fit for the Future, Coventry said, the IOC is creating space for open, respectful dialogue to ensure decisions serve the Games' long-term interests. "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 called the IOC Session a vital chance to assess the organization's direction. "This is a time to think not only about what we do, but how we do it — and what it means to be an IOC member today," she told members, highlighting that their collective experience and diversity are among the IOC's greatest strengths.

"Being an IOC member today is about more than a title ... It's about being an advocate for the power of sport as a force for good in our lives," she said, urging all members to take an active role in shaping the organization's future.

Xinhua