New IOC President Stands Against Olympic Bans Related to Participation in Armed Conflicts
Kirsty Coventry, the incoming President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has expressed her stance against the prohibition of athletes from competing in the Olympics due to their countries’ involvement in armed conflicts. During...
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Kirsty Coventry, the incoming President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has expressed her stance against the prohibition of athletes from competing in the Olympics due to their countries’ involvement in armed conflicts. During an interview with Sky News on Friday, she revealed her intention to begin discussions regarding Russia's possible return to competition.
Following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, athletes from Russia and Belarus faced a ban from participating in the Games. The IOC mandated that international sports federations follow this exclusion, which led to the countries being prevented from participating in major global sporting events. Subsequently, the committee allowed certain athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete as individuals under neutral flags, including in the upcoming Paris Olympics in 2024, while national teams remain barred.
In response to a question about her views on banning nations due to military conflicts, Coventry stated, “I am, but I believe each situation must be considered individually.”
As she prepares to assume her role as the first woman and the first African president of the IOC, Coventry also committed to forming a task force aimed at developing "some policies and some guiding frameworks that we as the movement can use to make decisions when we are brought into conflicts."
The former Olympic swimmer and two-time gold medalist for Zimbabwe acknowledged the existence of “horrific conflicts in Africa at the moment,” emphasizing the importance of protecting and supporting athletes to ensure they have the chance to participate in the Olympic Games.
When asked about the possibility of allowing the Russian national team to return to the Olympics in 2026, Coventry remarked, “We’re going to have that discussion with a collective group, as I’d said, with the task force.”
Coventry was elected as the 10th president of the IOC on Thursday, securing a majority of the votes. The 41-year-old prevailed over Spain’s Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. and Britain’s Sebastian Coe, who finished second and third, respectively.
Following her election, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Coventry, noting that her “experience and dedication to the true advancement of the noble Olympic ideals will ensure your success in such a responsible position.”
In response to the ongoing situation, Russian officials have criticized Western nations for politicizing international sports and pushing for the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes for political reasons.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
Following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, athletes from Russia and Belarus faced a ban from participating in the Games. The IOC mandated that international sports federations follow this exclusion, which led to the countries being prevented from participating in major global sporting events. Subsequently, the committee allowed certain athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete as individuals under neutral flags, including in the upcoming Paris Olympics in 2024, while national teams remain barred.
In response to a question about her views on banning nations due to military conflicts, Coventry stated, “I am, but I believe each situation must be considered individually.”
As she prepares to assume her role as the first woman and the first African president of the IOC, Coventry also committed to forming a task force aimed at developing "some policies and some guiding frameworks that we as the movement can use to make decisions when we are brought into conflicts."
The former Olympic swimmer and two-time gold medalist for Zimbabwe acknowledged the existence of “horrific conflicts in Africa at the moment,” emphasizing the importance of protecting and supporting athletes to ensure they have the chance to participate in the Olympic Games.
When asked about the possibility of allowing the Russian national team to return to the Olympics in 2026, Coventry remarked, “We’re going to have that discussion with a collective group, as I’d said, with the task force.”
Coventry was elected as the 10th president of the IOC on Thursday, securing a majority of the votes. The 41-year-old prevailed over Spain’s Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. and Britain’s Sebastian Coe, who finished second and third, respectively.
Following her election, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Coventry, noting that her “experience and dedication to the true advancement of the noble Olympic ideals will ensure your success in such a responsible position.”
In response to the ongoing situation, Russian officials have criticized Western nations for politicizing international sports and pushing for the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes for political reasons.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
