The president of the IOC, first woman and first African: “The widespread Olympics is full of charm, we will study it. Italy is a model for the future”
Azzurro Tailleur, Sneakers, a Raucendine inheritance of the recent trip to the Athletics World Championships in Tokyo, Kirsty Coventry, the new president of the IOC, former swimming champion (seven Olympic medals, two golden), enters the room of the Milanese hotel where he bases in these days carrying behind his revolution: the first woman, and first person of African origin (is of the Zimbabwe origin) at the head of world sport. It was supposed to be the heir of the former President Thomas Bach for a mandate in the name of continuity, he has in mind to change a lot of a rather reluctant movement to innovation if it is true that, since 1894, he had only 10 leaders driving (two less than the Chinese Communist Party, to say). In silence, without proclamations.
President Coventry, did he do what it means to guide world sport?
“It is an honor, but also a great responsibility. People know that you are the first woman and the first African: when I candidate, however, it was not to be the first, but because I love this movement that changed my life and I think the time has come to return something. I would like to shape the future, so that the young generations can be inspired”.
“Many other women in the Olympic movement preceded me and they opened the doors to me: they did not have an easy life, they told me their challenges. Our responsibility is to make the path easier for women who will come: Thomas Bach has made great steps forward, it still remains a lot to do, also to transfer this commitment to the international federations and to the national Olympic committees.
She said she was often underestimated.
“Yes, I am a Underdog and I like it. I like to be a person who works and engaged in silence. Even when I was an athlete, I didn’t go to say” I will win a gold medal “. But I know how to be effective in silence. I think it is something that leading women can do”.
How has your life changed?
“It seems crazy to say it but in reality it has become easier. I explain to myself: before I was a member and minister of my country for sport and culture, then wife and mother. Now at least I have a job only. Important, but one. I am also very lucky because I have the support of my husband, my parents, of my team. Swimming is an individual sport, but when I went to the USA to college I immediately learned that the secret of success is the team. Your weak points is the only way.
The family is also part of his team. Are there future swimmers in the family?
“When they ask my husband, he always replies:“ No. I had to look at my wife training for hours and hours for a 30 second race. Why make me this? “But jokes …”
Today he will visit the Olympic village, what idea did he make the organization of Milan Cortina?
“Do you know it’s my first time in Milan? When I swam we always went to Rome for the races. Then I was in Venice and Florence, never here. Today I will go for the first time to see the structures, so far I have made institutional encounters, all positive, including a wonderful dinner with the mayor and representatives of the region”.
Does the widespread Olympics model reserve more charm or more difficulties?
“We are experiencing it for the first time, we are all very excited. I am convinced is a great added value and certainly from these games we will learn a lot, it will be a fundamental model for the future if we think of the French Alps of 2030 or Brisbane 2032. Some more problems for some stakeholders is inevitable, but I know that the games will be beautiful. Italy reserves unique landscapes, natural snow positive.
For us it is easy to think that these will be special games, what do you think?
“I have been to Italy many times and Rome is perhaps the city that my husband and I love the most ever. Your country is culture, passion, everything. Out of curiosity I went to look for Google” What Italy and the Italians are best known for? ” sport.
On October 19, the Milan Cortina Foundation will be at the United Nations to talk about Olympic respite. Is it a realistic goal?
“It would be incredibly important to be able to stop conflicts. We must recognize the power of sport and the fundamental role that it can have throughout history. The reason why the Olympic movement has survived so long is because it has been able to show the best of humanity. The games and in particular the Olympic village, which has always been my favorite place, bring together athletes different from all over the planet that fight and sacrifice themselves for the same goal. term of a race, at the bottom of the lane of a swimming pool or an athletic track, everyone embrace each other.
Speaking of conflicts, the presence of Israel in the IOC has recently been the subject of many controversies, given that Russia and Belarus have been banned.
“First of all, it should be remembered that the problem with Russia was very specific, with the Russian Olympic Committee that violated the statute by annexing some regions of another Olympic Committee. With Israel and Palestine it is different, their committees are not in conflict, they constantly talk to us. Second thing, sport is a place open to all and generally athletes have no control over what their governments do. Olympic medals, the Government of Zimbabwe did not have a very positive behavior.
One of the Missions of the IOC is to protect athletes. Thousands have already died in Gaza.
“We are giving them all the possible help, as we have done with the Ukrainian ones. There are conflicts all over the world and everyone is as serious as the other, because human lives are lost. We must find a way to guarantee everyone to participate in the best possible way, without putting anyone in danger”.
Worried about possible protests during the games? Vuelta, for example, has been interrupted several times.
“We are prepared and we work closely with the organizing committee and the Italian government to ensure that everyone is safe. It is a priority.”
One of the most important stories of Paris 2024 was the case of the two Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting boxers, excluded from the International Boxing Federation, admitted by the IOC. We are talking about two non -trans athletes, but with disorders of sexual development or hyperandrogenism. How do you think of managing similar cases in the future, protecting women without creating new ghettizes?
“We have set up a working group made up of experts, of which we will keep the names reserved for now, because I want to focus on work. They are working closely with the federations, with the aim of achieving consent, but I believe that on this issue the IOC must take on a guide role. Of course the situation is different from sport to sport: in the horse, men and women already compete against, but in other sports I will have to protect women. I will take stock with them ”.
When will we have the conclusions?
“I don’t want to interest, because I want to reach consent with all the parties in question, federations, athletes … but I would like the guidelines to be published by the middle of next year, after Milan-Cortina: there will be the steps to follow in the next 8-12 years”.
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